
TRAGIC STORIES OF ESCAPES 

FROM FLOOD FIRE AND FAMINE 

RACES WITH DEATH HEROICRESCUES 


MEMORIAL EDITION 









Copyright N°_ C* f v y 

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 


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The Number of This Motor Boat May Have Been Thought Unlucky, but Its Crew Did Noble Work. 









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RELIEF AT LAST. 

When the First Train Bringing Rescuers, Food and Medical Supplies Reached Dayto 






MEMORIAL EDITION 

, 

AMERICA’S GREATEST 

* 

Flood and Tornado 

CALAMITY 

Authentic Story of these Appalling Disasters 


Graphic and Complete Account of the Terrible Floods in Ohio, 
Indiana and other States. Hundreds swept into Eternity. 
Soul-stirring stories told by eyewitnesses. 


Nation responds to President Wilson’s Appeal for Aid 


THE OMAHA TORNADO 

Killed many people and destroyed and wrecked thousands of homes. 
Thrilling accounts of miraculous escapes from Death. 
Millions of Dollars worth of Property Destroyed. 

EDITED BY 

THOMAS HERBERT, M. A. 

JOURNALIST AND EDUCATOR 
AND 

J. MARTIN MILLER, 

Member National Geographical Society, Author of “The Italian Earthquake,” 

“The Great Martinique Disaster,” Etc. 


Profusely Illustrated with many Photographs of Pathetic and 
Tragic Scenes of these awful Catastrophes. 



















Copyright, 1913, 

By Thomas H. Morrison 



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Defctcateb 

€> tlje memory of 
tfje counties souls 
h)f)o passeb through 
beatb tnto1Ufe€ter= 
nal amib floobs anb tm- 
pest in #fno, Snbiana anb 
.Nebraska, Jlarch 23=27, 
1913; anb to the oerbtce 
of their surbtbtng bin anb 
sorrowing neighbors iofjo 
cherish their memory tufitle 
mourning their beparture 
in bumble submission to 
the brill of an glU-OTiSe 
anb inscrutable Brobtbence 






















* 













CONTENTS 

PAGE 


Preface . 9 

“Rock of Ages”— A Message of Spiritual Con¬ 
solation . 13 

Victims of the Storm's Violence. 20 

CHAPTER I —Disaster on Disaster. 27 

CHAPTER II — A National Calamity. 33 

First Reports of Disaster Exaggerated by Fear and Horror— 

What Really Happened—Causes of the Flood—Overflow of 
Rivers Followed Long Continued Rain. 

CHAPTER III — A Night of Terror. 49 


Hours of Suffering for Marooned Victims—Dayton Isolated 
for a Day—Governor Cox Appeals for Aid—Work of Rescue 
Begins. 

CHAPTER IV—Extent of the Disaster_ 59 

Statement by Governor Cox—Dayton’s Plight Unparalleled— 
Many Women and Children in Peril—First Measures of Relief. 

CHAPTER V —As the Waters Subsided. 71 

Fourth Day of the Flood—Waters Recede and Rescuers are 
Busy—Martial Law Enforced and the Situation Surveyed. 

CHAPTER VI —Brief Diary of the Flood .. 85 

An Account of Flood Conditions in General, Told Day by Day. 

5 









CONTENTS 


CHAPTER YII —Stories of Eyewitnesses ... 91 

Exciting Experiences of Many Who Traversed the Flooded 
Territory During the Deluge. 

CHAPTER VIII — What a Correspondent 
Saw .Ill 

A Concise and Interesting Story by One of the First Visitors 
to Dayton After the Flood. 

CHAPTER IX —Incidents of the Flood. 131 

Tales of Pathos and of Horror That Will Be Long Remembered 
in the Flooded Districts. 

CHAPTER X —The Flood at Columbus. 155 

CHAPTER XI —The Flood at Piqua. 163 

CHAPTER XII— The Flood at Tiffin. 167 

CHAPTER XIII —Indianapolis Flooded. 171 

CHAPTER XIV —The Flood at Peru. 173 

CHAPTER XV —Other Cities Flooded. 175 

Details of the Deluge in Many Towns in Ohio, Indiana and 
Elsewhere. 

CHAPTER XVI —Measures of Relief. 191 

Steps Taken by Uncle Sam and the American People Generally 
to Aid the Homeless Sufferers. 

CHAPTER XVII —Recent American Floods. 207 

Also Great Floods in History. 


6 











CONTENTS 


CHAPTER XVIII — What to Do After a 
Flood .215 

Timely Advice for Stricken Cities and Towns by Dr. W. A. 
Evans, former Health Officer of the City of Chicago. 

CHAPTER XIX —Comments of the Press. . .221 


CHAPTER XX —Lessons of the Flood. 239 

CHAPTER XXI —The Omaha Tornado. 255 


Graphic Description of the Destructive Storm that Devastated 
the Nebraska City on Easter Sunday. 

CHAPTER XXII—In the Storm’s Path- 267 

CHAPTER XXIII — What the Governor 
Saw .273 

CHAPTER XXIV— The Work of Relief. .. .279 

CHAPTER XXV—How the Storm Started. 287 

CHAPTER XXVI— The Dead in Omaha. .. .293 

CHAPTER XXVII —Incidents of the Tor¬ 
nado . 295 

CHAPTER XXVIII —The Pulpit on Disas- 

317 


TERS 









THE DREADFUL POWER OF NATURE 


—Chicago American, March 2d. 







PREFACE 


In the presence of a great disaster the human mind 
is appalled, the human tongue is silent save in suppli¬ 
cation for aid, and the human pen is often paralyzed. 

Words utterly fail to express the emotions aroused 
by man’s contemplation of one of Nature’s cataclysms. 
Even at a distance, in space or in time, it is difficult 
rightly to interpret, in spoken or written language, the 
full significance of the event; while immediately after 
the horror, with a hundred million people anxiously 
awaiting definite news from the scene of disaster, it is 
difficult for the press to convey a correct view of 
ravages wrought by the mighty agencies of death and 
damage that are unloosed at times by an inscrutable 
Providence. 

The lapse of a few days, sometimes a few weeks, is 
required, as a rule, before a comprehensive viewpoint 
can be secured, so that all the facts of an appalling dis¬ 
aster may be properly marshaled for public information. 
Early reports of death and damage are often exag¬ 
gerated and misleading. Hence the value of a volume 
such as is here presented, which will serve as a permanent 
and reliable record of the events chronicled. 


9 


PREFACE 


The disastrous floods in the Valley of the Ohio pass 
into history as unprecedented in the United States in 
their danger to human life and the extent of damage 
done. Following so closely after the Omaha tornado of 
March 23, which laid a goodly portion of that city in 
ruins, the news of devastation in Ohio stunned the 
entire nation and commanded the sympathy of the civil¬ 
ized world. Reaching “almost Asiatic magnitude,” the 
floods caused disaster on an almost Asiatic scale, par¬ 
ticularly shocking to American consciousness because of 
their occurrence in the heart of a great, wealthy, civilized 
and highly efficient nation instead of in remote parts of 
the Celestial Empire, where human life is perhaps held 
cheaper and the sacrifice of life by raging rivers has 
lost some of its terror by frequent occurrence. 

The facts of the twin disasters—the Ohio flood and 
the Omaha tornado—are presented to the public in this 
volume, first, as a record of two remarkable natural oc¬ 
currences, well worthy of permanent chronicling in book 
form, and, second, because of public demands for a 
memento in permanent shape of events that have spread 
sorrow, mourning, and distress over a large portion of 
our commercially prosperous and happily fertile Mid¬ 
dle West. 

The heartfelt sympathy of the whole American 
people has gone out to those bereft of friends or kin in 


10 


PREFACE 


these cataclysmic disasters. The practical lessons of 
flood and tornado are yet to be learned and they may 
be full of value to‘living citizens of the states affected 
and to generations yet to come. The lessons of St. 
Louis and Omaha should teach us that our cities are not 
yet wind-proof. We are constantly striving to make 
them fire-proof, but our efforts so far have been only 
partially successful, as the tremendous fire damage bill 
of the United States demonstrates annually. And 
never as yet have our homes, our towns and our cities 
been made proof against flood. The Johnstown horror 
and the Galveston tidal wave have now been followed 
by even worse destruction by uncontrolled waters in the 
Middle West. Surely a lesson of precaution will be 
learned now and laid to heart wherever the mighty 
powers of water are dammed up by human means that 
may fail under the pressure of a moment and endanger 
the lives of a whole city full. 

The best preparation for protection against possible 
disaster is accurate and specific knowledge of the facts 
in similar cases. Comparison and analysis of such facts 
enable the engineer and the builder to plan more effi¬ 
ciently for protection of life and property against 
tempest, fire and flood. Results known to have followed 
given causes can be safeguarded against by the removal 
of the causes. Dangers that have engulfed some com¬ 
munities living under certain physical conditions can 


11 


PREFACE 


be provided against by others when wisdom and expe¬ 
rience work hand in hand. 

And so, as the public attention is riveted on one great 
disaster after another, it is the part of wisdom to seek 
out the causes by a close study of the facts. The facts 
of the Ohio deluge and the destructive wind of Omaha 
are here presented, therefore, in the hope that many 
communities may profit by the lessons they teach, and 
safeguard themselves, so far as is humanly possible, by 
wise, forethoughtful preparation, against similar dis¬ 
asters to themselves in future. 

Especially does this apply to villages, towns and 
cities that are threatened or likely to be threatened by 
flood—and it is generally understood that there are 
many such dangerous centers of population throughout 
the country. Some measure of provision against pos¬ 
sible disaster, some measure of preparation to alleviate 
possible distress, should surely be undertaken by all 
communities with surroundings or conditions that 
threaten life and property. And if the publication of 
this recital of the facts of recent horrifying events leads 
to the better protection of any community against the 
fatal dangers of storm and flood, the efforts of the 
chronicler will not have been expended in vain. 

Chicago, April 2, 1913. T. H. R. 


12 


“ROCK OF AGES.” 

A MESSAGE OF SPIRITUAL CONSOLATION 

All things have their compensations. Loss, suffer¬ 
ing, sorrow, are not without benefits. Tragedies lift 
us out of ourselves, giving us a renewed vision, stirring 
our thoughts from the personal and the trivial to the 
unselfish and the universal. 

Now that in 1913, as in memorable years past, a 
portion of the earth has endured a great natural calam¬ 
ity, we may be privileged to forget our individual wel¬ 
fare (while we care for that of others) and may turn 
from anxiety about our place in the world, to contem¬ 
plate our place in the universe. 

For the elements again have demonstrated their do¬ 
minion over us—by a state’s-wide sweep of waters across 
the continent o’erturning our fragile works; and in the 
light (or more properly the shadow) of that vast event 
just passed, we are once more face to face with our 
futility—the realization of man’s appalling littleness in 
the universe. 

On every side we see magnitude no end, motion im¬ 
measurable—which act and interact in those sublime 
manifestations of elemental fury called natural phenom¬ 
ena; and by these involved, hemmed in and overhung, 
we feel at times o’erawed. 


13 


“ROCK OF AGES” 


For what friend have we in nature ?—none! Rather, 
we seem interlopers merely, existing at sufferance of a 
truce between enormous enmities. The name of these 
enmities is legion, for they are many—if we classify and 
particularize; their sum, in science, is the entire ter¬ 
minology of chemistry and dynamics; but in simple lan¬ 
guage we may combine their multifarious terms and 
call them “heat” and “weight.” Puny words! yet their 
shadows stretch into infinity, as do the forces whose pro¬ 
saic names they are. Unremitting contact with these 
forces dulls our thought of them, for we attach no 
splendor of significance to that which we cannot be¬ 
hold, and they are “things that are not seen,” in Saint 
Paul’s words; but, to follow out his thought, they are 
“eternal,” and their ceaseless play underlies and ani¬ 
mates all our world. 

Impelled by heat, his flaming emissary, the sun, 
shines down and lifts the sea, transfusing it in air. 
Hence arise clouds, and the winds that waft them. But, 
ever hampered by an opposition force, these cannot long 
endure; for weight resists the sun and draws his vapors 
and their aerial carriers down to all-receiving earth. 

The gracious equipoise of these contrary tendencies 
comprises what scientists call “the opposition of forces” 
—a balance, a turn-about, an interchange of giving and 
receiving, under which we have sunshine and rain, seed 
time and harvest—the normal “orderly” working of 

14 


“ROCK OF AGES " 


nature that man may take account of, base his predic¬ 
tions on, conform his activities to, and thrive under. 

But let a “hitch” occur! a preponderance of one force 
apparently subdue the other—and there come those ter¬ 
rific cataclysms, those convulsions of the waters and the 
air, that man has learned to dread. 

At some moment before the midnight of the twenty- 
third of March, at some point in the infinite abyss of 
space, a zone of heat assumed the vertical, took on the 
columnar shape—a veritable “pillar of cloud,” indeed— 
towering toward the zenith for perhaps a hundred miles. 

Afterward—like any tiny teetering house of blocks 
piled up by childish hands—it became “topheavy” (ah, 
the opposing force of weight, which had been apparently 
subdued, was to accomplish its revenge!), and as a 
mighty tree might be imagined to totter ere it fell be¬ 
neath the axe, so this hundred-miles-high dispropor- 
tioned and unstable shape of air “toppled over,” in 
familiar phrase—it oscillated, convoluted, then collapsed 
and fell, with a terrific speed drawn down, constrained 
once more by the irresistible attraction of the earth. 

Through the night it rushed (at a breath accumu¬ 
lating an intenser force through condensation of its sub¬ 
stance into hail and rain), it burs" in weaker air, to hurl 
itself on undefended land and sea and sweep them with 
the besom of destruction. 

Some puny point, some pitiable doomed place, must 
15 


“ROCK OF AGES” 

bear the initial impact of the unimpeded hurricane de¬ 
veloped now. Was it on Omaha, or in Indiana, or 
along the unprotected beautiful Miami Valley that the 
first full fury fell? Wherever may have been the so- 
called “storm center,” that station straightway became 
stripped of all its reassuring, human and familiar as¬ 
pects of regard! It now stood stark, revealed in its 
primeval attitude alone; abandoned to the impulse of 
the elements, supine as in the age when natural forces 
worked prodigiously before the time of man. 

Since man appeared, these forces have displayed 
their power no less remorselessly; only in a changed 
degree they work than when the mountains rose or the 
glaciers trenched the valleys and the lakes. For nature 
never shall be tamed, propitiated, or in the least sub¬ 
dued. Still her convulsions and upheavals come, de¬ 
spite our utmost efforts to avert her disregardful rigors, 
our longing (born of fearfulness and failure) to creep 
close and have our lot and part in her—aliens denied 
our home! How often since the primitive human crea¬ 
ture cowered before lightning and the storm, made sac¬ 
rifices unto them and called them gods—how constantly 
in every age, since then, has man made effort to be recon¬ 
ciled with nature, to lay her milder ministrations to his 
heart as sent in love! On long delightful afternoons in 
June the heavens seem to bend in gracious kindness to 
the thankful earth—made so for man. Spring’s great 
16 









RUINS OF SACRED HEART CONVENT, OMAHA. 

This Building Lay Directly in the Path of the Tornado of March 23 and Sustained Its Full Fury. 


















“ROCK OF AGES’ 9 


annual miracle of resurrection makes us fain to see 
delight and hope inspire the force that brings forth 
grass and flowers. 

But only in rare moments is such feeling possible; 
for there is sure to interpose the failure unforeseen— 
some careless movement on the part of natural might 
—to jostle the painstaking house of cards we rear— 
man’s puny structures and his fragile hopes. The 
truth’s revealed once more: not kind at all, nature is 
negligent. Our harvests fail because her rains are not 
attentive; or a storm’s upheaval is allowed to trace a 
tiny track an instant on her front (some flood-and-wind 
destruction like the one just passed), and cities are 
o’erturned, lives by hundreds are sacrificed; man is 
struck down again by nature’s thoughtless unregardful 
might, set to resume the race-long struggle of adapting 
himself to his environment, proved a pauper that main¬ 
tains itself on crumbs from the universal store, reduced 
to wonderment and mourning. 

And yet—it is only by being thus brought to a reali¬ 
zation that he is at war with natural forces and that 
these are, by his, minutely matched—this experience 
alone fits man to lose his awe of nature and reduce it 
to a proper place and focus in his thought. Alien to 
nature is man?—what a distinction! Unique, alone, 
sublime! at his feet the earth, o’er his head the heavens 
galaxied with stars!—but hold! This fulsome utterance 

17 


“ROCK OF AGES” 

might be made of all the beasts; these cower from storms 
and likewise live amid the glories of the natural world. 
Here is the difference: that man, out of the struggle 
with the forces that at times completely conquer him, 
has summoned courage and evolved a faith, has framed 
a conviction—“substance of things hoped for, evidence 
of things not seen”—through which alone he triumphs 
over nature. That conviction is, that there exists a 
Being from whom mankind and all creation have alike 
progressed. And as, through his limitations, man may 
never hope to conquer natural forces, so, through these 
very limitations, he only can conceive of God that He 
is love. Aught else is unthinkable. Therefore, let 
nature smile or frown, both shall mean mercy (which 
were demonstrable, were our conception adequate) — 
they shall show forth the justice and the lovingkindness 
of the Lord. 

Hence is born a superhuman energy of hope which 
has confidence that afflictions are but for a moment. 
Yet hope does not console; the steadfast heart may 
triumph in hardship and adversity, but it cannot rise 
superior to sorrow for dear ones whose lives have been 
ruthlessly o’erborne. For this there is one resource 
more: in time of grief to throw oneself on God. He 
is the refuge and the strength, the “very present help 
in time of trouble”; and in Him man may find rest 
for his soul. 


18 


“ROCK OF AGES” 


This fact was revealed of old. It is the burden of 
the Hebrew prophets’ song. These ancient writers, 
laboring to express its truth, have set it forth in match¬ 
less imagery—in language that has been reverently 
appropriated and adapted to grace the worship of our 
time. But, in all times, man—when appalled by the 
thought of his littleness in the universe and the doubts 
which this instills, or when o’erwhelmed by grief—has 
been reminded that God is his refuge and his strength. 
Through some insistent phrase this inspiration has been 
kept familiar to every people. Beautifully expressed 
by the hymnwriter, it is endeared through fond associa¬ 
tion to our own: “Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me 
hide myself in Thee!” Fred S. Miller. 


VICTIMS OF THE STORM’S VIOLENCE. 


Tears are sacred. They are evidence rather of 
power than of weakness, for they have an eloquence 
that the greatest orator may not develop. Chiefly this 
is so because they speak of love, through overwhelming 
grief and deep and abiding conviction of loss. Thus 
bereaved, is there an argument wanting to evince the 
fact that man is more than mortal? Grief, strongly 
excited, is the peculiar property of man, and whether 
it be the easily moved tears of wife or mother, or the 
sternly repressed but moving sympathy of man—let the 
mourner be respected, almost envied even; he has mani¬ 
fested the strongest proof of unselfishness. When we 
contemplate grief in the abstract there is a pleasure in 
such thought—an awful pleasure—for it gratifies us to 
know that there are those who will weep for us. Some 
there be who are loth to live, and many are so because 
they have not one friend to mourn for them—their life 
is desolate because of that fact. 

Again, tears are the sincere expression of the heart 
and soul. Sorrow or joy, and guilt and innocence too, 
cause tears. And they make clean the soul. Also they 
appeal, more nearly than can the most impassioned 
utterance. 


20 


VICTIMS OF THE STORM'S VIOLENCE 


Sometimes they mellow and calm a sad, worn heart; 
often they relieve, when no other agency can, the con¬ 
templation of some fearful catastrophe wherein human 
beings were as straws in the wind, went down like wheat 
before the scythe of the reaper, the reaper Death: 

There is a reaper whose name is Death, 

And with his sickle keen 
He reaps the bearded wheat at a breath, 

And the flowers that grow between. 

Death, the profoundest of all facts, after the con¬ 
viction that there is a God—Death is the minister that 
calls forth tears and they have stolen forth o’er battle¬ 
fields and over pestilence camps; as well as by the pri¬ 
vate bier in humble home and in neglected quarters. 
Also in the waste sands of the desert, or on the far off 
isles of the sea, when storm-cast mariners have dug the 
shallow trench and laid to rest the comrade who has 
borne the hardship and privation of the shipwreck and 
the storm, the agony for water and the craze for food. 
Comrades who have proven one another through such 
trials weep with sincerest pity when they lose one of 
their number. Nor need they be ashamed of showing 
grief. Let manhood quench not the flow that is the 
sincere testimony to his sentiment and affection, that is 
a sincere evidence that his grief is genuine. 

When through the dreary, storm-bound and deserted 
21 


VICTIMS OF THE STORM’S VIOLENCE 


streets the melancholy cortege winds, when from the 
homes where but just now the besom of destruction 
swept and porch and rooftree crashed, and the life of 
the loved one was in an instant stricken out, when from 
these homes is heard steal forth the sobs of mourning 
and the melancholy signs of woe, in all this sad and 
trying spectacle after the flood, be sure that tears are 
doing their healing work, relieving the souls of those 
who shed them. Through the Miami Valley and in the 
Indiana towns where the fury of the tempest of the last 
great cataclysm thundered, there was mourning for the 
hosts of dead that so pitiably went down. Like a 
stealthy thief in the night the mighty flood had stolen 
upon them, unnoted of any, scarcely projected by the 
scientific watchers of the weather who are looked upon 
to give timely warning when the elements brood and 
gather for a storm. Some sleeping in their beds, some 
gathered in happy entertainments, the wind and rain 
and lightning fell upon them all and took its toll of 
lives by hundreds. “Rachel weeping for her children 
and refusing to be comforted,” says the sacred writer. 
It may be considered certain that, throughout the 
length and breadth of the storm-stricken area, there 
are households without number rendered desolate by 
reason of the frightful visitation which the Lord saw fit 
to send upon his people. 

But sorrows are like the tempests. When afar off 


22 


VICTIMS OF THE STORM’S VIOLENCE 


they look black, they are frightful while they last, for a 
moment of agony, being convulsive reminders of the 
fact that all flesh is grass and that as a flower of the 
field man fadeth; but anon the heavens are cleared and 
smile once more, the dayspring comes, beautiful and 
peaceful nature resumes her normal sway, and we are 
enabled to feel that somehow, somewhere there must be 
an explanation, an alleviation for this great grief that 
has been sent upon us. It must be remembered, too, 
that sorrow is like night. Day makes the soul happy, 
but night brings out the stars and reveals to man the 
vastness of the universe. 

An altered world, an altered sky is presented to the 
one who has known grief. The whole conception of 
God’s plan and purpose may be enlarged for such an 
one. For this is the compensation of sorrow: that it 
draws us out of ourselves, makes us see with an ex¬ 
tended, clearer vision and makes us to know things 
deeper than we had dreamed before our hearts were 
wakened and attuned to grief. For sorrow is the 
teacher of the intelligence. From it, as bees draw honey 
from a dry, unsavory herb, man may extract that which 
shall enrich his understanding and inspire his soul. 

Great events where sorrow also comes are stamped 
on the consciousness indelibly. And there is a tender¬ 
ness evolved that makes it seem that cold, impassive 
nature were somehow allied with man. Almost in a fit 
23 


VICTIMS OF THE STORM’S VIOLENCE 


of human rage she seemingly has wrested trees from 
their roots, the buildings from their foundations and 
wrought maliciously in the destruction of property. 
Hence here is the time for man to realize his superiority 
to nature, his ability to conquer all that she may visit 
on him, even grief. Man and nature are equal con¬ 
tenders, one to conquer the earth and subdue it, in the 
Bible’s phrase, the other to exalt or depress man seem¬ 
ingly at its pleasure. Over all is the one just God, to 
whom man, confessing his utter dependence and need, 
may turn for refuge. And so, redeemed, exalted, puri¬ 
fied, man may return from his communion with the 
Lord and take upon himself a greater responsibility of 
care for the dependent, the suffering and the outcast. 

David was such a man. He felt at first the anger 
of the Lord and knew his own unworthiness. His well 
beloved son was ingrate to him and his heart was pierced 
with woe. But out of his affliction came the Psalms, 
which have comforted untold thousands of despairing 
hearts since David’s time. Sorrow was the exalter and 
the redemptor of the writer of the Psalms! So, in a 
less degree, may each and every one who felt the fury 
of the elements and had their loved ones taken from 
them—so may they rise to the occasion of the deeper 
life which loss and suffering gives entrance to. Privi¬ 
leged to behold and be near unto a vast undertaking 
of nature, and to be stricken with the sorrow which that 

24 


1 kj *.* 


VICTIMS OF THE STORM’S VIOLENCE 

undertaking wrought, the sufferers from the recent 
storm may be assured that there has nothing happened 
that has not been ordained by an all-merciful and Higher 
Power; they may creep close to that Power in spirit 
and say, “Not my will but Thine be done!” 

For the simplest and most certain use of sorrow is 
to take our thoughts and our sentiments back to the 
Loving Father. We are not conscious of our need of 
Him in prosperous days; we rejoice in sunshine and in 
the former and the latter rains, and pile up wealth, 
careful of that. But sooner or later the dread summons 
comes for some loved person who was all the world to 
us. Then in sorrow are our eyes opened and we know 
of deeper things than was our privilege before. Then 
are we conscious of a world beyond our own, a land that 
we must strive to attain. Then is revealed the possi¬ 
bilities of our own unguessed nature yearning unto 
God, his creature waken to the knowledge of his love. 
Sorrow is the interpreter of the all-loving Lord, his 
minister and his exhorter leading man to love and 
worship him. 

This is revealed in little in every home wherein a 
death occurs. After the great storm which in this 
volume is described, it is set forth on a profound and 
moving scale. Sorrow has revealed this fact to the 
dwellers in Omaha and its vicinity, in the Miami Valley 
and its adjacent region; their utter dependence upon 
25 


VICTIMS OF THE STORM'S VIOLENCE 


God. In time of destruction such as they have under¬ 
gone, what other refuge have they to attain? Help 
—there is none in a catastrophe like this. In the twin¬ 
kling of an eye it comes, destroys, is gone! No refuge 
possible but the unseen One who holds them in the 
hollow of his hand. Feed S. Miller. 


Prayer for flood Utciims 


merciful Sod and fiaavenly farter, who has taught us 
v in Chy holy word that Chen dost not willingly afflict 
or grieve the children of men, give ear to the prayers which we 
humhly offer to Chee in hehaif of our brethren who are suffer* 
mg from the great water floods. Cause them in their sorrow 
to experience the comfort of Chy presence and in their bewilder* 
went the guidance of Chy wisdom. 

“Stir up, we beseech Chee, the wills of Chy people to min¬ 
ister with generous aid to their present needs, and so overule in 
Chy providence this great and sore calamity that we may be 
brought nearer to Chee and be Unit more closely one to another 
in sympathy and love. Jill which we humbly asR through 3e$u$ 
Christ our Cord. Amen.” 


[The above prayer was used in many churches on the Sunday follow¬ 
ing the flood at the suggestion of Bishop David H. Greer of New York.] 
26 



CHAPTER I 

DISASTER ON DISASTER 


God moves in a mysterious way, 

His wonders to perform. 

He plants his footsteps in the sea 
And rides upon the storm. 

Hardly had the public recovered from the first shock 
of horror at the results of the tornado which laid waste 
an important section of the city of Omaha on Easter 
Sunday in the year of grace 1913, when Pelion was piled 
upon Ossa, horror upon horror, disaster on disaster, by 
the frightful floods in the valley of the Ohio. 

The sympathy of the nation was pouring out in full 
measure to the stricken city of Nebraska. Only forty- 
eight hours had elapsed since the “devil cloud” had made 
its horrifying appearance in the outskirts of Omaha and 
had passed on, leaving death and desolation in its wake. 
The President of the United States had just been in¬ 
formed of the full extent of the damage. His condo¬ 
lences and offers of government aid for the sufferers 
were still fresh from the wire. Committees of relief 
were being organized, the Red Cross Society had barely 
begun its helpful work—in fact the fury of the tornado 
was scarcely spent—when the news of a fresh disaster, 


27 


DISASTER ON DISASTER 


reported from the beautiful Ohio city of Dayton, turned 
all eyes in that direction, with its undeniable demands 
for the practical sympathy that should find expression 
in immediate measures of relief. 

What had happened in Ohio of such terrible import 
as temporarily to divert attention from the scene of 
death and distress in Nebraska? 

What was this fresh horror that thus dwarfed the 
devastation wrought by the wind’s fury? What mighty 
elemental force had been unloosed for purposes of de¬ 
struction? 

The quaking of the earth, the fury of flames, the 
giant sweep of the wind—all these have found their 
victims in American homes, have laid waste American 
cities and taken heavy toll of human life, but neither 
earthquake nor fire, nor storm of rushing wind had been 
the agent of destruction here. Water, let loose from 
bondage, had done the work. 

Of course the telegraph and the telephone soon told 
their tale of woe. Crippled as the means of communi¬ 
cation were in the city where Death had stalked abroad 
for never-to-be-forgotten hours, working its ruthless will 
and reaping its greatest harvest, sparing neither age, 
sex nor condition,—from this center of widespread de¬ 
struction there came falteringly on a single wire the 
fatal news of an overwhelming flood that had left 
mourning and misery in its wake. 

28 


DISASTER ON DISASTER 


A beautiful show-city, renowned for enterprise, for 
commercial prosperity, for the splendor and attractive¬ 
ness of its environs, and above all, for its civic pride— 
Dayton lay prostrate beneath the crushing weight of 
wicked waters, suffering the fate of the house built upon 
the sand. 

“The floods descended and the rains came, and beat 
upon that house; and it fell; 

“And great was the fall thereof.” 

Then soon it appeared that the city of Dayton was 
not alone in its suffering. Unloosed from the bonds 
that Nature and man had contrived to hold them in 
check, the maddened waters had demanded more vic¬ 
tims and speedily had found them in sad abundance. 

A mighty deluge, an avalanche of waters, had sud¬ 
denly stricken a wonderfully prosperous section of the 
Middle West, transforming the fertile fields and many 
thriving cities of Ohio and Indiana into a vast scene of 
death and desolation. 

Fed by the copious rains of a stormy Spring and by 
the melting snows of the highlands, rivers had burst 
their banks, dams had ceased to do their duty, reservoirs 
had scattered their contents broadcast over the land, 
death-dealing waters were sweeping everything before 
them. 

Human lives by the hundreds had been drowned 
out; houses had been torn from their foundations and 


29 


DISASTER ON DISASTER 


swept away in the resistless flood, drowning their in¬ 
mates like rats in a trap; property to the extent of un¬ 
told millions had been destroyed; scores of thousands 
were homeless, and danger of death, famine and pesti¬ 
lence threatened on every hand. 

Picture the horror of the rising water, as it mounted 
rapidly foot by foot to heights that threatened to over¬ 
whelm all but the largest and most substantial resi¬ 
dences. Friends, relatives and neighbors, their houses 
forced adrift by the rushing element, disappeared from 
sight. Across the open spaces, through the parks, or 
down the street, there came the wreckage and the ruins 
of what had been, but an hour before, happy and pros¬ 
perous homes. Not one house here and there, but whole 
blocks of houses, whole neighborhoods, were engulfed by 
the raging waters and washed away with them. 

Oh, the horrors of the long night that followed! 

Here a village under water; there a city full of 
people struggling to keep alive through the hours of 
darkness, without light, without heat, without water. 
“Water, water all around, but not a drop to drink.” No 
food—no boats with which to get away or by means of 
which relief might approach. Only the bare hope of 
rescue and the barer chance that the waters might speed¬ 
ily recede from the face of the earth. No friendly gleam 
of lights in neighbor houses, telling of human proximity 
and power to aid. 


30 


DISASTER ON DISASTER 


And what is that ? The shock of a passing house that 
threatens destruction to all it may encounter in its path. 
The bodies of horses, oxen, sheep and pigs are washed 
against the trembling walls and each shock racks the 
nerves of the sleepless inmates. 

And then much more significant wreckage is borne 
along by the whelming current and glimpsed in horror 
by those whose whitened faces stare in agony through 
the upper windows of rocking buildings. Human bodies 
are borne along, poor torn tabernacles of human beings 
sacrificed to the topographical situation of their wrecked 
abodes,—victims perhaps of a state of preventable un¬ 
preparedness. 

Here floats all that is left of a father, who but yes- 
tereve had gathered his children about his knee in a cozy 
home a mile upstream, and told them the old, old story 
of the dove sent forth by Noah from the ark of refuge 
during the first of all floods, and that returned, unable 
to find a resting place for the sole of its foot, because the 
water covered the earth. 

Yon floating mass with trailing hair and lineaments 
a whitish blur in the yellow flood was but yesterday a 
happy, loving mother—until the rushing waters over-* 
whelmed her home as she was going contentedly about 
domestic duties,—the little ones safe at school, and the 
breadwinner, beloved of all the little circle, hard at his 
daily work, with a heart filled with the joy of living 

31 


DISASTER ON DISASTER 


in the possession of his loved ones, and brimful of hope 
for worldly advancement and prosperity in the future. 

And there—the bodies of little children, carried 
hither and yon at the mercy of the dark and turbulent 
waters— 

But the mind refuses to dwell upon the horrors of 
the scene as it was seen or felt—aye, felt—through the 
dark hours of the night and in the gray dawn of the 
morrow, by suffering thousands. 

All the harrowing details of death and damage can¬ 
not be told within the space of a single volume, but 
enough to give a graphic idea of the conditions that 
followed the flood in the city of Dayton, which was the 
chief sufferer, and elsewhere in the states of Ohio and 
Indiana, will be found in the chapters that follow. May 
the lessons they teach be laid to heart and acted upon so 
that disasters of this kind may be foreseen and pre¬ 
vented wherever humanly possible. 


32 



UNROOFED BY THE WIND. 

Scene at Murfreesboro, Tenn., After Tornado. Livery Stable in Foreground, with Front and Most of 

Roof Carried Away. 













WORK OF TORNADO. 

A Center of Death and Destructon by the Wind’s Fell Fury. 












CHAPTER II 


A NATIONAL CALAMITY 

First Reports of Disaster Exaggerated by Fear 
and Horror—What Really Happened—Causes 
of the Flood—Overflow of Rivers Followed 
Long-Continued Rain. 

A calamity which for the time being could only be 
measured in death and destruction by the horrors and 
devastation of war overtook a goodly portion of the 
states of Ohio and Indiana on Tuesday, March 25,1913. 
Floods swept practically all the river towns of the two 
states and fire added its ravages in some of the flooded 
cities. 

The chief arena of desolation noted in the first re¬ 
ports was the beautiful city of Dayton, Ohio, where 
several thousand were at first reported dead. Scores of 
thousands were said to be homeless throughout the state 
of Ohio and the dead in the entire state, according to 
early estimates, reached appalling figures; but these esti¬ 
mates were based upon meager and fragmentary reports 
which later proved to be unfounded. 

All through the night that followed, panic-stricken 
refugees were reported to be fleeing from the lowlands 
to places of greater comparative safety. The property 
loss was first estimated to be more than $100,000,000 


33 



34 













A NATIONAL CALAMITY 


and at least $5,000,000 was said to be required immedi¬ 
ately to succor the homeless. An appeal to the outside 
world for aid was promptly issued. 


These reports, greeting the eye of the American 
citizen at his.breakfast table on Wednesday morning, 
March 26, effectually roused him from all semblance 
of apathy and transformed him into an efficient agency 
of practical sympathy for the afflicted cities of the great 
Middle West. 

Then there followed a nation-wide quest for the facts 
of the great flood, and within a few hours the crippled 
telegraph and telephone services brought messages of 
confirmation from the state capital of Ohio, as follows: 

“The Middle West is today in the grasp of the worst 
floods ever experienced, following in the wake of the 
terrific war of the elements which, in the past two days, 
has swept practically the entire country from Nebraska 
to Vermont. 

“The State of Ohio, from the Maumee to the Ohio, 
is practically a vast inland lake, and the wildest rumors 
concerning the fate of the city of Dayton, one of the 
show places of the state, are afloat. 

“A levee restraining the Miami River at Dayton 
broke during Tuesday morning and soon the city was 
flooded to a depth of from seven to twelve feet. Many 
buildings had collapsed when the final link of communi¬ 
cation with the outside world—one telephone wire—* 
was lost. 


35 



A NATIONAL CALAMITY 


“Up to 6 o’clock last night reliable reports placed 
the number of drowned there at sixty, but from that 
hour rumors of greater and almost unbelievable disaster 
began to trickle in from remote sources. 

“A reservoir near Lewiston was reported to have 
broken and sent further flood upon the stricken city. 
Another report was to the effect that 5,000 persons had 
lost their lives and that the city had been engulfed by 
water to a depth of forty feet. 

DEAD BODIES WASHED ABOUT STREETS 

“Another rumor, equally lacking confirmation, was 
that the bodies of people could be seen being washed 
about in the streets and on the outskirts of Dayton. 

“A report received via Anderson, Ind., says that 
the city of Celina, Ohio, has been engulfed by the break¬ 
ing of the dam at the Grand Reservoir, and that the loss 
of life will total more than five hundred. The Grand 
Reservoir is a great lake, several miles in extent, which 
was located just to the east of the city, and its waters 
were held in check by a huge dam. The breaking of this 
dam would sweep the city just as Johnstown was swept 
when the dam broke there. 

“From Hamilton, Ohio, comes a report that the 
flood had taken a toll of 1,000 lives. 

“From Piqua, Ohio, comes another report that the 
loss of life in the floods in that city will reach five 
hundred. 

“From Peru, Ind., comes a midnight message that 
200 persons have been drowned in the floods there. 

“All these reports are entirely without confirmation. 

36 


A NATIONAL CALAMITY 


4 ‘From every city and town in Ohio with which com¬ 
munication is still possible a tale of death and disaster 
is reported.” 

Following these early reports which caused con¬ 
sternation and then awakened sympathy all over the 
United States, there gradually trickled over the wires 
from the stricken cities calmer and more accurate state¬ 
ments of actual conditions, but even these proved sad 
enough. 

A large part of the city of Dayton had been over¬ 
whelmed by the rushing waters; its business section, 
residential districts and suburbs were all in the grip 
of the deluge; scores of men, women and children, 
though fortunately not hundreds, were drowned; 
thousands were indeed homeless, and enormous damage 
had been done. 

Death and damage dealing flood conditions also pre¬ 
vailed in the Ohio cities of Cincinnati, Cleveland, Piqua, 
Hamilton, Delaware, Sidney and other towns and vil¬ 
lages, which reported loss of life or great damage to 
property. 

In the state of Indiana similar conditions were re¬ 
ported from Terre Haute, Peru, Shelbyville, Kokomo, 
Richmond, Marion, Ellwood, Lafayette and other 
places. 

In all these cities and towns the condition of many 
homeless refugees was reported to be pitiable in the ex- 


37 


r A NATIONAL CALAMITY 


treme and prompt measures were taken to rush relief 
to them, including food, clothing and medical supplies, 
with doctors and nurses to care for the sick and injured. 

HOUSES CRUSHED AS BY TIDAL WAVE 

The Miami River enters the city of Dayton from 
the north and runs due south between the residential 



Marks Limits of Flooded District. 

1 - Third St., Whei§e First Break ttt Levee Occured. 

2 - Maim St., Where Se<jokd Break m Levee Occured, 

& - Busittess District. Scttke or Fvre- 

districts of North Dayton and Riverdale; then turns 
sharply west and after running west for a short distance 
again turns abruptly to the south. An important part 



































A NATIONAL CALAMITY 


of the city thus lies just inside the loop formed by the 
sharp bends of the river, into which several small tribu¬ 
taries empty their waters. 

The fatal failure of the levees relied on to restrain 
the river within bounds, apparently occurred on the 
left side of the river just before it is joined by the 
Mad River. The water poured over the left wall into 
Third Street, and fifteen minutes later into Main Street, 
until the principal streets, which had hitherto never been 
thought in danger, were under 10 feet of water. 

Many of the buildings on the sides of the river had 
been rendered so insecure by the rising waters that they 
left their foundations within an hour after the break 
came. In one district, what had been blocks of thickly 
populated one and two-story residences, occupied mostly 
by people of the Latin races, were at the mercy of the 
flood. Many of these small houses were torn from their 
foundations and heaps of ruins and shattered lumber 
were left to tell the tale of the flood’s fury. 

DAYTON AND ITS LEVEES 

The levee at Dayton, Ohio, which is strongly built of 
gravel, has an average height of about twenty feet 
through the main part of the town. 

It is over twelve feet across the top and about thirty- 
five feet broad at the base. It is wide enough to allow 
carriages to go along its top. The levee ceases along 
some parts of the course of the Miami River. 

39 


A NATIONAL CALAMITY 


This river, which cuts the town in two, is approxi¬ 
mately 250 feet broad at most of the points within Day- 
ton. Wolf Creek, a tributary on the west, has hereto¬ 
fore caused most of the trouble from floods. 

North Dayton has usually been the section most 
damaged in previous inundations. It lies at a wide bend 
in the river. Central Dayton is down on a flat. The 
highest region is occupied by East Dayton. The popu¬ 
lation is well distributed in detached houses, with no 
congestion. 

A GROWING CITY 

Dayton is situated in the valley on the east bank 
of the Miami River at its junction with Mad River. To 
the north is a low region through which vast quantities 
of water might pour down and wreak terrible destruc¬ 
tion. 

The population of the city is almost 125,000 and it 
is one of the most prosperous and rapidly growing 
municipalities in the State. It is adorned with many 
handsome public buildings, such as the,Dayton State 
Hospital, the court house and a magnificent City Hall. 
In the suburbs, two miles west of the city, is the National 
Military Home for Disabled Volunteers of the Civil 
War, with 640 acres of beautiful ground and large build¬ 
ings accommodating 6,000 persons. 

One of the principal avenues of the city is the Boule¬ 
vard, which is built on land made from the Miami River 


40 


A NATIONAL CALAMITY 


bed. Along this are located many of the largest resi¬ 
dences, which would have been destroyed by an unusual 
disturbance of the waters. 

The manufacturing industry, which is important, is 
facilitated by numerous canals, supplied by reservoirs 
located outside the city. 

Dayton was founded in 1805 and was named in honor 
of Gen. Jonathan Dayton. It was chartered as a city in 
1841 and its growth has been remarkable since that time. 

CAUSE OF THE DAYTON FLOOD 

During the forty-eight hours ending at 1 o’clock 
Tuesday morning, March 25,1913, no less than five and 
one-half inches of rain, the heaviest on record, fell at 
Cleveland, Ohio. 

Reports show that this condition prevailed not only 
at Cleveland, but over a large part of Ohio and In¬ 
diana. Hard showers were also reported in Eastern 
Ohio Tuesday night, and all the rivers and streams in 
the two states being already swollen, conditions were 
ripe for the breaking of levees and dams that night. 

Four rivers, draining the district of which Dayton, 
Ohio, is a center, contributed their waters to the tor¬ 
rents that rushed over the doomed cities Tuesday night. 
These were the Miami, Scioto, Wabash and White 
Rivers, which drain the districts hereinafter described. 

There were two reservoirs on the Miami River above 


41 


A NATIONAL CALAMITY 


Dayton. One was known as the Powerhouse reservoir 
and the other as the Lewiston. The Miami River was 
flooded to the edge of its banks and levees on Tuesday 
morning—and levees formed a loop around a consid- 


“From Lightning and Tempest— 



—Philadelphia Press. 

GOOD LORD, DELIVER US! 


erable section of Dayton. Then the waters of the Pow¬ 
erhouse reservoir burst forth on top of the flooded 
Miami—and a great wave came suddenly tearing along, 
picking up frame houses like chips in its path, and 

42 






A NATIONAL CALAMITY 


crushing brick factories and large buildings as it swept 
on in a resistless torrent. 

CAME AS A SURPRISE 

“Daytonians had never dreamed of such a flood 
menace,” said one who resided in the Riverdale section 
of Dayton for 40 years, on receipt of the surprising 
news. “The levees were considered by them to be among 
the strongest and finest in the country, not even those 
of the Mississippi excepted. It is incredible to me that 
these substantially built levees should give way. 

“It is my impression that the trouble began with an 
overflow at the intersection of Mad River with the 
Miami, northeast of the city. 

“The levee at that point is but a small one compared 
with the others, being only eight to 10 feet high, 
while those adjacent to the Main Street bridge were 
from 20 to 30 feet in height. 

“In the early seventies the water came over the 
levee at that point and flooded East Monument, St. 
Clair and East First Streets. 

“The surplus water that came from the damming 
up the Main Street bridge and the overflow from the 
intersection of the Stillwater and Mad Rivers with the 
Miami is the only theory that one familiar with the ter¬ 
ritory can accept.” 

This old citizen of Dayton had seen the Riverdale 


43 


A NATIONAL CALAMITY 


section flooded a number of times from the overflow, but 
recalls no previous loss of life or serious damage to prop¬ 
erty during his 40 years’ residence there. 

A MOUNTAIN OF WATER 

“A great mountain of water has been hurled from the 
clouds upon Ohio,” said a graphic writer in the Cleve¬ 
land Leader on March 27. “A lake has been emptied 
upon this state. 

“The rainfall since Sunday morning must have been 
not less than six inches, on the average, over the 41,000 
odd square miles inside the limits of the commonwealth. 
That precipitation is indicated by the Cleveland record 
and other figures from various points. 

“Six inches of rain throughout Ohio means about 
575,000,000,000 cubic feet of water. That is equivalent 
to a lake ten feet deep, 80 miles long and 25 miles in 
average width. It would make a lake 20 feet deep, 40 
miles long and 25 miles wide, throughout its length. 

“Put this enormous mass of water in another form 
and it would fill a gigantic standpipe a mile in diameter 
and about five miles high. It would overflow such an 
incredible tank towering far above the top of the highest 
mountain in North America. 

“The weight of such a mass of water is monstrous. 
Roughly speaking—for all statistics of the rainfall in 
the state must necessarily be general and loosely put 

44 


A NATIONAL CALAMITY 


together—the rain which has come down in Ohio in three 
days means about 18,000,000,000 tons. 

“That is more than all the coal mined in America 
since the first pound was taken from the ground. It 
makes the weight of all the iron ore ever produced in all 
the world look small by contrast. 

“If the water which has been rained down upon 
Ohio since the present week began could be put in the 
balance against the products of the farms of the United 
States it would outweigh all the grain and all the hay 
of half a century, at the current rate of production, with 
all the fruit added. 

“Inside the city limits of Cleveland, a little patch 
of ground compared with the area of the state or even the 
Cuyahoga valley, enough water has fallen in three days 
to outweigh, by a wide margin, all the iron ore received 
at this port in the best year lake shipping ever enjoyed, 
and all the coal shipped. The rainfall in the city has 
been about equal to a year’s output of the coal mines of 
Ohio. 

“Enough water has fallen inside the municipal limits 
to make a lake two miles long, a mile wide and ten feet 
deep. Or it would fill a reservoir fifty feet deep, half a 
mile wide and only a little less than a mile long. 

“Human dams, bridges, levees, walls and other struc¬ 
tures have had to meet the force of weights and masses 
so stupendous that ordinary figures lose their sig- 

45 


A NATIONAL CALAMITY 


nificance by contrast with the water which has flooded 
Ohio valleys and lowlands.” 

RIVERS THAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE 

Four rivers caused the principal flood damage in 
Ohio and Indiana, as follows: 


Miami River—It flows through alluvial valleys in 



a raised bed, with a slow current and low banks. Rising 
on the low watershed in the central district of Ohio, it 
flows past Hamilton, Dayton, Troy, Piqua, Sidney, 
Middletown, Miamisburg and other busy cities, all heavy 















A NATIONAL CALAMITY 

sufferers from the flood. It empties into the Ohio at the 
southwest corner of the state, at the Indiana line. 

Scioto River—It rises in the central watershed of the 
state of Ohio and enters the Ohio river at Portsmouth. 
Columbus, Circleville and Chillicothe are also situated 
on its banks. Of these cities Columbus was the chief 
sufferer. 

Wabash River—It rises in the Ohio watershed and 
soon flows into Indiana. Among the many cities on its 
banks, Peru, sixteen miles east of Logansport, suffered 
most. Terre Haute, also a heavy sufferer from recent 
storms and from the tornado that struck it Sunday after¬ 
noon, March 23, was hurt by the flood in the river sec¬ 
tion. Lafayette was partially submerged. 

White River—A tributary of the Wabash. The 
west fork of this river caused the great losses in West 
Indianapolis. 

These southward flowing rivers, situated in a rich, 
level agricultural country and yet having on their banks 
cities swarming with profitable manufactories which 
have grown up because of the splendid transportation, 
cheap coal and natural gas, were gorged by torrential 
rains falling in a broad, deforested section of highly cul¬ 
tivated and tilled farm lands, so that the runoff was im¬ 
mediate. Thus the floods came with terrible suddenness, 
drowning many almost before they had realized their 
peril. 


47 



IN THE MIDST OF THE RAGING TORRENT. 




































































































Naval Militiamen in the Work of Rescue—“Women and 
Children First.” 



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CHAPTER III 


A NIGHT OF TERROR 

Hours of Suffering for Marooned Victims—Day- 
ton Isolated for a Day—Governor Cox Appeals 
for Aid—Work of Rescue Begins. 

A night of suffering and of terror followed the in- 
rushing of the waters throughout the flooded territory. 
Communication with Dayton was practically cut off 
Tuesday night and only the most meager reports of 
actual conditions leaked out from the stricken city. 

Hundreds of persons unable to reach their flooded 
homes took refuge in the larger business buildings, or 
were marooned there when the waters rose. The city’s 
lighting facilities were cut off; heating plants were put 
out of commission and all through the long hours of the 
night, in homes, stores, office buildings and business 
blocks, there was intense suffering by women and chil¬ 
dren and the deepest dismay prevailed on every hand. 

All prayed for the coming of the dawn and the re¬ 
ceding of the waters that hemmed them in on every 
hand. But when morning came at last, there was little 
to encourage the weary, hungry, saddened sufferers of 
the night. The city was a watery waste and prospects 
of immediate relief seemed slim indeed. The single tele- 
- 49 , 


A NIGHT OF TERROR 

phone wire in service brought slight encouragement in 
the news that the Governor of the state was at work do¬ 
ing his best to get means of rescue and relief into the 
city. So the long day passed and darkness once more 
approached with every prospect of a repetition of the 
terrors of the night before. 

GOVERNOR APPEALS TO RED CROSS 

The following telegram was sent out by Governor 
Cox, when daylight on March 26 revealed the full ex¬ 
tent of the disaster, to Miss Mabel Boardman, chairman 
of the Bed Cross Society, at Washington: 

Mabel T. Boardman, Washington, D. C. 

Subsequent advices are that the situation at Dayton, 
Ohio, is very critical. More than half of the city is 
under water. The entire downtown district is under 
water. Piqua, Sidney, Hamilton and Middletown are 
also sadly in need. The maximum of our military 
strength is being used in different parts of the state. 
We have appeals from some parts by telephone that 
women and children are in the second story of their 
homes. Boats are being rushed overland by wagon, as 
railroad traffic in flooded districts is practically sus¬ 
pended. We greatly appreciate your interest and co¬ 
operation. (Signed) James M. Cox, 

Governor. 

Miss Boardman promptly replied as follows: 

Governor James M. Cox, Columbus, Ohio. 

Have wired Red Cross Representative T. J. Ed¬ 
munds, Cincinnati, to proceed immediately, if possible, 

50 


A NIGHT OF TERROR 


to Dayton. Endeavoring to intercept and inform Na¬ 
tional Director Bicknell on his way to Omaha, where 
his services may not be required, as Mr. Lies of Chi¬ 
cago is there now. If you deem advisable issue appeal 
for funds to state as president of the Red Cross state 
board. (Signed) Mabel T. Boardman, 

Chairman National Relief Board, Washington. 

A DEPLORABLE SITUATION 

The general situation on Wednesday, March 26 , 
was deplorable. Early estimates of the number of dead 
resulting from the floods in Ohio and Indiana were far 
too high, but death had taken toll at many points in 
both states, and the sufferings and anxieties of the sur¬ 
vivors cannot be overestimated. Their deplorable situa¬ 
tion was brought home to the people of the United 
States during the day by telegrams which, while they 
contained only a modicum of precise fact, gave glimpses 
of the terrors that prevailed behind the veil of silence 
and mystery. 

DAYTON CALLED A LOST CITY 

A message from Dayton Wednesday night said: 

“Dayton is as a lost city. It is completely separated 
from the rest of the world. Its isolation is almost pri¬ 
meval. Only one telephone line is working and that is a 
private wire between Dayton and Lebanon. The city 
government is completely imprisoned by water. Noth¬ 
ing has been heard from it since the flood descended 
51 


A NIGHT OF TERROR 


upon the city. It came down so quickly that no one was 
prepared. 

“The only organized relief movement is that which 
is being conducted by the National Cash Register Com¬ 
pany, whose plant is outside of the flood and fire zone. 

“The entire force of this organization has been 
thrown into the relief work. Not a wheel has stirred in 
the factories of the Register Company since Tuesday 
morning and every employe is engaged in relief work. 

“The huge plant has been turned into a rescue mis¬ 
sion and hospital and a thousand persons slept on its 
straw-covered floors last night. The dining room and 
rest rooms of women employes were turned into a 
dining room for refugees. Nearly all available food 
was bought up by the company for the benefit of flood 
victims. 

PATTERSON RESCUES WOMEN 

“Dayton has found new cause for its faith in John 
H. Patterson, the man who put Dayton on the map. 
Barefooted, yesterday he waded through the flood to 
save families from flooded houses. He rowed the boat 
himself. He is nearly seventy years of age. He has 
two children—a son, Frederick, and a daughter, Dor¬ 
othy. 

“The son led a rescue party and Miss Dorothy, 
dressed in old clothes and her hair streaming with water, 
stood in the rain for hours receiving the refugees as they 

52 


A NIGHT OF TERROR 


were brought in automobiles. The thirty-one machines 
of the Cash Register Company were pressed into service 
for rescue work. It was found that Dayton didn’t 



AN AVALANCHE OF WATER 


have enough skiffs, so Patterson forthwith had his car¬ 
penters make 100 small boats. They were ready by 
nightfall.” 

TELEPHONE GIRLS SOUND ALARM 

Frank Brandon, vice president of the Dayton, Leb¬ 
anon & Cincinnati Railroad, succeeded in establishing a 
telegraph wire during the day from Dayton to Lebanon. 

53 





A NIGHT OF TERROR 

He said that the situation was appalling and beyond all 
control. 

“According to my advices the situation beggars de¬ 
scription,” said Mr. Brandon. “What the people need 
most is boats. The water is high in every street and 
assistance late this afternoon was simply out of the ques¬ 
tion. We are rigging up several special trains and will 
make every effort possible to get into Dayton to-day.” 

The suburbs of Riverdale, West Side and North 
Dayton were entirely under water and in the down¬ 
town section St. Clair, Emmett and Second streets were 
flooded. 

It remained for two girls to be the chief factors in 
giving to the world the news of the first day of the flood. 

Both were operators but on different lines. One, a 
telephone operator in the main exchange of Dayton, 
flashed the last tidings that came out of the stricken city 
by telephone Wednesday and also gave the news to 
Governor Cox which enabled the executive to grasp the 
situation and start the rescue work. 

The other was the operator at Phonetown, eight 
miles north of Dayton, who served as a relay operator 
for the girl in Dayton. Both stood to their posts as 
long as the wires held and the young woman at Phone- 
town, Mrs. Rena White Eakin, worked all during the 
day and night. 


54 


A NIGHT OF TERROR 


BY MRS. RENA W. EAKIN 

The following account of the Dayton and Miami 
yalley flood was written by Mrs. Rena W. Eakin, tele¬ 
graph operator, who was rushed to Phoneton, a Dayton 
suburb, by the Cleveland Press and placed in charge of 
a special Press wire. The story is printed just as it 
was clicked over the wire. 

Phoneton, O., March 26.—No trains to or from 
Dayton, tied up all through this territory. Sev¬ 
enty-five to 100 known dead. Great many animals 
lost. Forty boats patrolling Dayton. St. Elizabeth’s 
hospital and several buildings undermined. Help sent 
from Phoneton. Going to send militia from any places 
available. 

Troy completely under water. Situation very bad. 
Much damage to property and loss of life. Much trou¬ 
ble trying to get food for starving. Sending outside aid. 

Mayor of Piqua asking aid for both Fletcher and 
Piqua. One portion of Piqua under water. Telephone 
badly crippled. Not much suffering there. Not much 
damage at Tippecanoe City. Loss to surrounding coun¬ 
try great. Report from Lima, St. Mary’s reservoir not 
broken. 

HOUSES ARE TIED TO TREES. 

Situation at Tadmore, viewed from across river, 
seems to be improving. Several houses secured from be¬ 
ing carried away by ropes to nearby trees. 

55 


A NIGHT OF TERROR 


Much debris seen passing. Bridge on National road 
crossing Great Miami river apparently undamaged, but 
road from Tadmore to east probably will be impassable 
for a couple of days. 

At Dayton, while being removed from Central Un¬ 
ion telephone building to the Y. M. C. A. in rescue boat, 
Morris Breetenbach had narrow escape. Boat capsized. 
Breetenbach and two rescued by launch. 

G. T. Parsons and E. C. Eidmiller, employes at the 
American Telephone & Telegraph Co. station at Phone- 
ton, arrived North-side Dayton, trying to get communi¬ 
cation with adjutant general’s office to request much- 
needed aid. 

Supplies most immediately needed are food, medi¬ 
cine, whiskey and blankets. 

The relief committee at North Dayton, now in com¬ 
munication with adjutant general, is arranging to for¬ 
ward requested aid. 

Water falling; six feet now. It is expected will be 
able to get around to different buildings late tonight. 
Raining. 


Twenty-four hours later, on Friday morning, one 
began to read the stories of eyewitnesses of the scenes 
in the flood, and the tales of those who had suffered in 
Dayton, Peru, and other places where the flood had 
done its worst. 


56 



A NIGHT OF TERROR 


One read of throngs of stricken folk, many of them 
young children or delicate women, who had been sud¬ 
denly driven from their homes, without sufficient cloth¬ 
ing or adequate supplies, compelled to seek shelter wher¬ 
ever it was available, crowded into business blocks, court¬ 
houses, schools and similar refuges, so filled with fear 
and anxiety for missing relatives that they were unable 
to sleep or give thought to anything else. And then— 
thinking of all the trials of those nights and days of 
terror, of all that cold, hunger, grief and fear had 
wrought among survivors of the flood—the great heart 
of the American people was filled with keenest sympathy 
and another flood set in—a much-needed flood of cash 
and supplies. 


57 


FLOOD EDITION 


THE PIQUA DAILY CALL 


Vol. 29 

Cll—111 


PIQUA, OHIO, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26,1?13, 


No. 134 


Calamity Strikes Piqua; 

Our City Bowed in Grief 

Appalling Loss of Human Life, and 
Great Destruction of .Property. 

Thousands Are Homeless 

City Under Martial Law—Communications Cut 
02 with Outside World—Relief Station 
'Established at the Y. M. C. A. 


Piqua is today a stricken city; a city bow; 
C&dofrn, broken with grief. We have been 
visited by the greatest calamity in our history. 
The loss of life that has been suffered from the 
flood cannot be estimated now 1 . 

It is sufficient now to tell that relief 
measures are being taken. The Business 
Men’s Association, the Y. M. C. A. and citi¬ 
zens gen$r«illy are co-opeerating with the city 
nticl military authorities to bring order out of 
chaos to-rescue those confined in houses still 
standing ifi'the flooded sections to house and 
•feed the homeless. 

The city is practically under martial law. 
Company C. and Company A, of Covington 
are here and patrolling'the city under the 
the direction of the city authorities. 

Last night, we regret to say, there was 
A beginning of looting and plundering in the 
south part of the city. 

Rigorous measures will be taken by the 
military and the police to repress and prevent 
Such in the future. 

Piqua still is cut off from communication 
from the outside world. All the telegraph 
and telephone wires are down. Bridges and 
tracks are down bn both railroads and no trains 
are running. 

The only outside communication possible 
has been by using a'Pennsylvania freight en- 
gine to Bradfoad from which point it has been 
possible to use. the telegraph. 


All-the traction lines still are crippled and 
unable to run their cars in oh out of the. city. 
How soon it may be possible to rc-opea these 
lines of communication 4 is impassible $q say. 

While greatly crippled the local telephone 
service has been maintained by both exchange 
es. The operators have done heroic work day 
and night ever since the first danger began to 
threaten. 

No mail has been received of apnt out of 
Piqua since. Monday. Local deliveries, of 
course, are impossibler 

North and south the C. H. & £)1 Rri R. 
is crippled. From Sidney to ^Dayton the 
washout is practically complete. 

The Pennsylvania R. R. bridge was wash¬ 
ed out at the east end, and there is no com¬ 
munication across the river. It'iS understood 
that much track has been washed' out. A line 
is open to Bradford and westward. 

The'Y. M. C. At,-the Spring, street* 
Favorite Hill .Schools, the 'Presbyterian, 
Christian, Church of. Christ, Grace M. E., 
St. Marys school, hall, -'and; countless homes 
have.been opened freely to the flood sufferers,.' 
The y. MT; C.* A. has’ been the center -of *.the' 
relief administration and from which .all direc¬ 
tions have been issued and to which the suffer¬ 
ers have come. 

Provisions can and are being broaght 
from Fletcher and other places cast to the suf¬ 
ferers who have reached the-hills on the cast 
of the‘river. 

This morning Mayor.Kiser placed the fire 
department at work freeing the most necessary 
places from water. The electric light plant 
was first pumped out. . Last-night the city 
was in darkness except for gas, oil lamps, and 
candles. The hospital was fouud needing lit¬ 
tle attention. 

The damage to property is beyond calcu- 
lation. Over 200 houses at least h^ve been 
washed away and'destroyed. Shawnee is prac¬ 
tically }?iped_out. 


58 












CHAPTER IV 

EXTENT OF THE DISASTER 

Statement by Governor Cox—Dayton's Plight 

Unparalleled—Many Women and Children 

in Peril—First Measures of Relief. 

That the nation might comprehend the horror of the 
flood situation in Ohio and realize the urgent necessity 
for rendering prompt assistance to the stricken cities. 
Gov. James M. Cox on Wednesday night telegraphed 
from Columbus the most complete and authoritative 
summary of conditions that had been made up to that 
time. 

The Governor’s statement follows: 

“The exact extent of the appalling flood in Ohio is 
still unknown. Every hour impresses us with the un¬ 
certainty of the situation. The waters have assumed 
such unknown heights in many parts of the State that 
it will be hardly less than a miracle if villages and towns 
are not wiped out of existence in the southern and south¬ 
western parts of Ohio. The storm is moving south of 
east. 

“Please give great publicity to an appeal for help. 
My judgment is that there has never been such a tragedy 
in the history of the republic. 

“Columbus was the center of all activities in behalf 
59 


EXTENT OF THE DISASTER 

of the stricken cities. Every hour has apparently been 
• filled with an accumulation of drastic circumstances. 

EVERY EFFORT MADE TO RELIEVE 

“Piteous appeals have been made by men who were 
surrounded by water and confronted by the approach¬ 
ing conflagration in the city of Dayton. Every human 
energy has been exerted to give relief, and yet the meas¬ 
ure of assistance has been comparatively small. It is my 
belief, however, that by daylight tomorrow those im¬ 
prisoned in the business section of Dayton can be re- 
, lieved. 

“The day began by a storm signal from the weather 
bureau, advising that there would be a dangerous rise in 
the waters of the Muskingum River. All the towns 
along its source, including Zanesville and Marietta, were 
advised. Before noon the situation assumed a critical 
aspect at Zanesville, and the historic ‘Y’ bridge was 
blown up with dynamite. 

“The loss of life in Zanesville is uncertain, because 
all telephone communication ceased at noon. Marietta 
cannot be reached, but it is safe to assume that the same 
devastating results at Zanesville were carried on to 
Marietta. 

“A flood situation developed in the Maumee and 
Sandusky Valleys in northwestern Ohio, but the dam¬ 
age to life and property was nothing compared with 
that in the south. 


60 


EXTENT OF THE DISASTER 

dayton’s plight unparalleled 

“In many respects the Dayton situation is absolutely 
without parallel. The city is unable to send to the out¬ 
side world any accurate idea of the real loss. North 
Dayton reported a loss of 100 lives. Later precisely 
the same situation was reported from Riverdale. West 
Dayton was almost completely under water, and the 
houses in Edgemont, a residential section, were so deep 
in the flood that great destruction to life and property 
certainly ensued there. On the highlands of South Park 
and East Dayton pockets were developed and people 
were drowned in apparent elevations where it would 
seem naturally impossible. The water at Fifth and 
Brown streets, which is twenty-five or thirty feet above 
the elevations in the business section, reached ten feet 
in depth. 

“At this time a river wild and turbulent, four miles 
wide, is sweeping throughout the business section of 
Dayton, to say nothing of the overflow in the residential 
sections. 

“The Miami River enters Dayton directly north and 
south, separating North Dayton from Riverdale. It 
then makes a complete turn west and runs about three- 
fourths of a mile, then turns directly at right angles to 
the south. These bends have been the undoing of the 
city and caused the break in the levee. 

“Not until today was it apparent that between 
61 


EXTENT OF THE DISASTER 


10,000 and 12,000 people are penned up in the business 
district in buildings, hotels and the Y. M. C. A. build¬ 
ing, making it apparent that the flood came so quickly 
that the business community was unable to reach the 
hills of the city. 

“The city hall is patroled by a number of policemen 
inside, and it is so situated as to enable the officers to 
make more or less accurate estimates of the number of 
people in the business section. 

FIRE SWEEPS BUSINESS SECTION 

“Fire broke out in the square bounded by St. Clair, 
Jefferson, Second and Third streets soon after noon. 
The blaze was noticed first in a drug store. It swept 
north and destroyed the St. Paul Evangelical Church. 
The flames then shot to the south through the wholesale 
district, consuming two large\ wholesale liquor houses. 

“The fire is still burning tonight. We were advised 
by telephone tonight that people could be seen on the 
roofs of the buildings in the imperiled square and that 
they were jumping from one structure to another, keep¬ 
ing safely away from the flames. The water at this time 
had receded to about five feet in that part of the city. 

The appeal came over the telephone to the state- 
house that unless boats were sent at once from some part 
of the stricken district the human loss would be tre¬ 
mendous. This evening it develops that the rescue from 
this square was complete. 


62 


EXTENT OF THE DISASTER 


WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN PERIL 

“The Beckel building, immediately across the street, 
was on fire at noon, but the flames were put out. How¬ 
ard, from the Home Telephone building, reported that 
the roof was black with people standing guard over their 
safety point. South of the stricken square is another 
wholesale section, and it -developed that about thirty-five 
women and children were in several of the buildings. 

“About 3 o’clock the flames leaped across Third 
street and attacked the square bounded by Third, 
Fourth, Jefferson and St. Clair streets. Lowe Brothers’ 
paint store was destroyed, and another tremendous sacri¬ 
fice in human life was imminent. Fifteen men in the 
Home Telephone building succeeded, however, in rescu¬ 
ing the women and children by the aid of a block and 
tackle, getting them into the Beaver Power building, 
a fireproof structure, where they are tonight. 

“Instructions have been given from Columbus to the 
militia in the southern part of Dayton to give vigilant 
eye to the fire district, and if the flames start in the di¬ 
rection of the Home Telephone building and the Beaver 
Power building to risk passage through the turbulent 
river, which is now running through the city, with boats. 

NAVAL RESERVES ON SCENE 

“Tomorrow morning at daylight fifty boats will go 
into the business district of South Park. The naval 
militia with 100 boats leaves Toledo for Dayton. 


63 


EXTENT OF THE DISASTER 


“We are unable to get any accurate idea of the loss 
of life at Hamilton. Both that place and Middletown 
are so completely isolated that we fear the worst. 

“In Columbus the situation has improved. The 
Scioto is receding. It is feared that when the waters 
have left the western part of the city a considerable 
loss of life will be revealed. Almost within sight of the 
Capitol building three men, two women and a child have 
been hanging to a tree for over twenty-four hours, and 
yet the waters are too swift to make their rescue possi¬ 
ble. James M. Cox, 

“Governor of Ohio.” 

DEATH LIST PROBLEMATICAL 

On Thursday afternoon Governor Cox received a 
message from George F. Burba, his secretary, over the 
long distance telephone. 

The secretary said: 

“If the death list in Dayton is only 1,000 I will con¬ 
sider it a marvelous dispensation. If it is 10,000 I will 
not be surprised. 

[Luckily Mr. Burba’s fears in this respect were not 
realized.— Editor.] 

“Horrible as this is,” he said, “the real suffering 
will grow worse for days. There are 70,000 homeless.” 

A message to the Governor later in the day from 
a marooned telephone operator, the only means thus far 
found of communicating with Dayton, said the fire in 

64 



HEROES OF RESCUE WORK. 

Naval Militia Boys Removed Many of Those Marooned in Trees and Housetops and Saved Scores of Lives. 
















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EXTENT OF THE DISASTER 


the center of the city was virtually under control. The 
blizzard which started early in the morning, however, 
still raged. 

Mr. Burba, who made a hazardous trip to Dayton, 
reported that the property loss would amount to $50,- 
000,000. 


ON THE THIRD DAY 

For three days the tireless executive officer of the 
State had been doing the work of a dozen men, labor¬ 
ing from daylight to long past midnight to succor the 
unfortunates of Ohio. His hand guided everything 
done in the work of rescue, and on Thursday, with the 
knowledge that this task was for the most part accom¬ 
plished, he turned his attention to new problems of pre¬ 
venting epidemics, safeguarding life and property and 
relieving the sufferings of surviving flood victims and 
the care of the dead. 

The hero of the Dayton disaster, John A. Bell, the 
telephone official who, marooned in a business block, 
had been keeping Governor Cox informed every half 
hour of conditions in the stricken city and delivering 
orders through boatmen who rowed to his window, called 
the statehouse at daybreak Thursday and greeted the 
executive with a cheery “Good morning, Governor; the 
sun is shining in Dayton.” 

But sunshine gave way to a driving snowstorm later 
65 


EXTENT OF THE DISASTER 

in the day and the reports coming from Bell were less 
cheering as the day advanced, until the ominous word 
from, Adjutant-General Wood was received that what 
were most wanted in the one time Gem City were coffins 
and food. 


MILLIONS OF HELPING HANDS! 



—Chicago Examiner 

GENERAL WOOD IS MAROONED 


General Wood had been marooned for two days in 
a fire engine house, but was found and rescued at the 
request of Governor Cox through the efforts of Bell. 
When the General was taken to the telephone building 
66 




EXTENT OF THE DISASTER 


he received orders from the Governor to take charge of 
the troops as they arrived and make a survey of the 
conditions in the city. His first report was that the 
water had fallen to two feet in the business section and 
that the danger of a widespread conflagration had been 
avoided by the Governor in having the natural gas sup¬ 
ply of the city cut off. 

The next report from General Wood was that ask¬ 
ing for coffins and food. He said several hundred 
bodies were in sight and that he feared that the death 
list was larger than they had thought. 

The naval militia were the first National Guards¬ 
men to reach the flooded section of Dayton. They 
were in boats, which they handled to perfection in reach¬ 
ing imprisoned flood sections, and they did the first real 
work of rescue. 

RELIEF MONEY POURS IN 

The appeals for relief met with generous response 
from all parts of the country, the West as well as the 
East wiring that funds were being sent. The Governor 
put the relief work on a systematic basis by appointing 
a commission, of which, under the rules of the Red 
Cross, he became chairman. 

The members were John H. Patterson, of Dayton; 
Homer H. Johnson, of Cleveland; Jacob Schmidlapp, 
of Cincinnati; S, D. Richardson, of Toledo, and George 
W. Lattimer, of Columbus. Colonel W. M. Wilson, of 


6.7 


EXTENT OF THE DISASTER 

the National Guard Pay Department, was named as 
treasurer and opened headquarters in the Secretary of 
State’s office, where one of the first dohations received 
was $7,500 from the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce. 

A telegram from President Wilson announced that 
the Secretary of War had been directed to proceed to 
the flood districts to extend every possible assistance to 
the sufferers. 

James T. Jackson, of Cleveland, representing the 
Red Cross, on March 27, and soon afterward the Gov¬ 
ernor, issued proclamations announcing the situation in 
the flood district and urging that money be forwarded 
as the best means for affording prompt relief because 
of the crippled conditions of railroads. 

BARS ALL SIGHTSEERS 

Sightseers of Springfield, who sought to visit Day- 
ton March 27, received a shock. On the first train to 
the stricken city from Springfield were fifty linemen 
and three coaches full of people on a sightseeing tour. 

The Governor learned of this, and on his orders, 
when the train reached Dayton, two soldiers were sta¬ 
tioned at each car door and none but linemen were per¬ 
mitted to alight. The train was then run back to Spring- 
field with its disappointed passengers. 

The Governor then ordered guardsmen at Spring- 
field to let none board trains for Dayton who did not 
68 


EXTENT OF THE DISASTER 


have a military pass. The purpose in this was to pre¬ 
vent idle visitors draining the limited food resources of 
Dayton. 

Dynamite, gasoline and lime were sent from Spring- 
field as supplies for the sanitation corps ordered there 
to prevent the spread of disease and the feared epidemic. 
The dynamite was used to blow up dangerous obstruc¬ 
tions, the gasoline to burn rubbish and the lime for dis¬ 
infecting purposes. 

Patterson’s splendid work 

Phoneton, O., (by telephone from Dayton), March 
27.—Rescue work efficiently managed and in which 
John H. Patterson, president of the National Cash 
Register Company, was a leading spirit, was begun to¬ 
day. Missing members of families were restored to their 
loved ones through human clearing houses established 
at several points on the fringe of the flood district. Great 
ledgers, filled with names, and presided over by vol¬ 
unteer bank clerks, were at the disposal of persons seek¬ 
ing missing kinsmen. 

Dayton is devastated. No one can even estimate 
whether beneath the yellow sea that is seething through 
the city may sleep 1,000 drowned or 100. 

No one can picture the situation. Dayton is a 
marine inferno. Fires lighted the sky all night and 
early to-day, illuminate the rushing waters, and the 
69 


EXTENT OF THE DISASTER 


swish of rain and swirl of currents sounded a sibilant 
requiem for the unknown and the uncounted dead. 

Think of 50,000 persons jammed in the upper floors 
of their homes, no gas, no fresh water, no light, no 
heat, no food! 

President Patterson of the National Cash Register 
Company has 150 carpenters building boats. He him¬ 
self has saved numbers of lives. 

An appeal for help was sent out by Mr. Patterson, 
who, after a conference with the local and relief commit¬ 
tees, issued the following: 

“An awful catastrophe has overtaken Dayton. The 
levee has broken. The center of Dayton and the resi¬ 
dence districts from the fair grounds hill to the high 
ground north of the city, are under water. Some of our 
buildings are used for shelter for the homeless and sick 
on the South Side. Food is needed. 

“Potatoes, rice, beans, vegetables, meats and bread 
and any other edibles that will sustain life will be ac¬ 
ceptable. 

“We have cooking arrangements for several thou¬ 
sand. We are sending trucks to near-by towns, but ask 
that you haul to us, as far as possible.” 


\ 


70 


CHAPTER V 

AS THE WATERS SUBSIDED 

Fourth Day of the Flood—Waters Recede and 
Rescuers Are Busy—Martial Law Enforced 
and the Situation Surveyed. 

On Friday, March 28, the fourth day of the flood, 
the waters were gradually subsiding and the work of 
rescue and relief proceeded apace. 

A score of motor boats, besides live-saving boats, 
were in the flooded district and by night it was hoped re¬ 
lief would be extended to all those still alive. No effort 
was being made to take out any bodies, the first care 
being to provide help for the living. 

The boats began to return early from the nearer 
sections, each depositing its load of from fifteen to 
twenty survivors. Most of them were so weak from dep¬ 
rivation and suffering as to be scarcely able to move. 
By 8 o’clock several hundred had been taken to the Cash 
Register hospital on stretchers from the south side of the 
river. 

The'food situation was much brighter. Trucks sent 
from the Cash Register company, manned by men with 
military orders to confiscate potatoes and food from the 
71 


AS THE WATERS SUBSIDED 


farmers, brought back a good supply of vegetables, and 
several relief trains reached the city with supplies. 

The rescue work also had taken on a semblance of 
system, and all the streets from which the flood had 
receded were patrolled by militia. The people also were 
urged to get back to their houses whenever possible. 

“Beware of thieves and burglars,” said an official 
bulletin given wide circulation. “Don’t leave your 
houses without protection. It was thieves who scared 
you about the reservoir and natural gas explosion. The 
natural gas has been turned off and there is no danger 
of explosions.’ 

Sixty Catholic sisters at the Academy of the Sisters 
of Notre Dame and eighteen persons for whom they had - 
provided refuge were found by the Louisville life-saving 
crew to have been entirely without food or water since 
Tuesday. 

There were several cases of illness, and their suffer¬ 
ing had been intense. The live-savers left a supply of 
bread and water and planned to give further help. 

The Louisville men also took relief to several hun¬ 
dred families in the low district in the vicinity of Ludlow 
and Franklin streets. Here the water had reached the 
roofs of all two-story buildings. Only a few of those in 
the most desperate condition were brought out, the first 
move being to leave bread and water in as many places 
as possible. 


72 


AS THE WATER SUBSIDED 


There had been little hope there would be survivors 
in this district, and the fact that there proved to be few 
deaths brought hope that the death loss would be much 
lower than was expected. 

STRICT MARTIAL LAW ENFORCED 

Facing the tremendous task of caring for its ever- 
increasing army of refugees and recovering its dead, 
Dayton began its fourth day of flood under strict martial 
law. With headquarters at Bamberger park. Col. Zim- ^ 
merman of the Fifth regiment, Ohio National Guard, 
initiated plans for the organization to protect the city 
during the ensuing weeks of reconstruction. 

Militia companies from all parts of the state reached 
Dayton during the early morning hours, and by noon 
every accessible section was under strict guard. Mem¬ 
bers of the State Board of Health, bringing carloads of 
lime and other disinfectants, also arrived during the day 
and began the work of warding off the ever-increasing 
menace of disease. 

SURVEY OF THE SITUATION 

On Friday evening it was possible to take a calmer 
view of the situation and the following facts were ar¬ 
rived at: 

1. Previous estimates of the number drowned had 
been greatly exaggerated. 

2. The property loss from fire was not to exceed 
$1,500,000. 


73 


AS THE WATER SUBSIDED 


3. The damage caused to mercantile houses, fac¬ 
tories and residences would run anywhere from $15,- 
000,000 to $20,000,000. 

4. The water had receded from the business section 


SANCTUARY. 



—Chicago Record-Herald. 
74 







AS THE WATER SUBSIDED 


of the city and from a large portion of the residence dis¬ 
trict. 

5. Residents in portions still inundated were being 
taken to sections not affected by the flood. 

6. There was no lack of food. 

7. The telephone systems were being restored. 

8. There was much suffering from cold. All avail¬ 
able fuel had been appropriated and there was prospect 
of immediate relief. 

9. So far there had been no epidemic of sickness. 

HIGH POINT OF THE FLOOD 

Touring the business sections, officials found the high 
stage of the flood was nine feet at the corner of Third 
and Main streets, which is in the very heart of the city. 
The onrushing water flooded the first floor of every 
store in the business district. This constituted the chief 
financial loss. The lower floor of the Steele high school 
was leveled and the Leonard building on Main street 
was undermined so that it collapsed. Many houses were 
swept away in Riverdale, West Dayton, North Dayton 
and Edgemont. 

SHELTER FOR 7,000 PERSONS 

The following buildings withstood the flood, furnish¬ 
ing shelter to about 7,000 persons who were marooned in 
them from Tuesday until Thursday: Conover building, 
Kuhns building, The Arcade, two Cappel buildings, 
75 


AS THE WATER SUBSIDED 


Calahan Bank building, Schwind building, Commercial 
building, Mendenhal building, Rice-Kunler building, 
Riebold building and United Brethren Publishing Com¬ 
pany’s building. 

None of the public buildings nor churches were de¬ 
stroyed. 

The fire loss was reported limited to the destruc¬ 
tion of the Dayton Gas Light and Coke Company’s 
plant; the row of two and three-story buildings on both 
sides of Third street from Jefferson street to St. Clair 
avenue; the Troy-Pearl laundry plant and two apart¬ 
ment house fires on the West Side. 

A daring robbery was thwarted early in the day 
when the police arrested a man who was escaping from 
the city with a satchel containing $50,000 in diamonds 
and jewelry which he had stolen from downtown jewelry 
stores. 

BANK NOT TOUCHED BY FIRE 

The Fourth National Bank building, which was re¬ 
ported several times to have been destroyed by fire, was 
untouched by the flames, although a building immedi¬ 
ately adjoining was burned. 

The newspaper offices, the News and Herald and 
Journal buildings were found to be safe, but none was 
issuing papers. 

Money was of no use in Dayton for the time being. 
Every facility was free to every one without cost. 


76 


AS THE WATER SUBSIDED 


“dayton is not crushed” 

President G. B. Smith of the chamber of commerce 
said : 

“We do not want the world to think that Dayton is 
unable to recover from the effects of the disaster. We 
are going to show it that we are capable of coping with 
the situation with entire efficiency. Dayton is not 
crushed.” 

DREAMING OF A NEW DAYTON 

Ben Hecht, staff correspondent of the Chicago 
Journal at the scene of the Dayton flood, telegraphed 
from Miami City, a suburb of Dayton, March 29, as 
follows: 

“Unless the thousands still imprisoned in their 
attics in North Dayton are not rescued the toll of the 
flood and fire that has wiped out the city will not be 
large. 

“Three-fourths of the city is high and dry. The 
streets are streaming with people. The weather is bright 
and warm. The skies seem to be smiling and the people 
are taking heart. The apparently impossible tasks of 
rebuilding the city, of finding homes for the sorrowing 
refugees, starting again to live as they did before the 
flood, occupied Dayton today. 

“ ‘We will build again,’ they say. Even the refugees 
who have nothing except the clothes they wore away 
77 


AS THE WATER SUBSIDED 


are dreaming today of a new Dayton. The tales of 
hardships, rescues and deaths are passing from mouth 
to mouth. All the living are heroes. 

RESCUED GIRL A HEROINE 

“In the Van Cleveland school a young woman, tall 
and squarely built, has taken charge of the foreign 
refugees. Her name is Lisa Matiny. She was saved 
from her home on South Main street. Her mother and 
two sisters are among the dead. When the rescue boat 
came to free her from the room to which they had fled, 
Lisa Matiny put her mother and two sisters in the boat. 
She remained in the room and waited. 

“The flood rose higher until the water reached her 
waist. ‘Good-by,’ she called, and the mother and sisters 
were carried away. They were never heard of again. 
Lisa clung to a door that had been washed loose. She 
was picked up on the shore. Her family lies in the 
morgue at the National Cash Register Company. 

“There is another woman in the Van Cleveland 
school who has lost her senses. She is old and can say 
nothing except,‘Where is Billy?’ Billy is her son. This 
morning a half clothed boy was carried into the room 
where the old woman was. She grabbed him in her 
arms and cried ‘Billy!’ But it wasn’t Bill. The boy 
had lost his mother, whose name is Sarah Calkin. He 
fell asleep in the old woman’s arms, and both seemed 
happy. 


78 


AS THE WATER SUBSIDED 


“Two children were born in the Longfellow school, 
where many refugees are being fed and housed. The 
mothers was rescued from Second street. The names 
of the children are Jennie Williams and Harriet 
Gordon. One of the babies died. 

\ 

WIRE MEN STICK TO POSTS 

“Among the heroes of the flood are the telegraph 
operators. They have sent tens of thousands of mes¬ 
sages and have stuck to their jobs day and night. Some 
have dropped from exhaustion. 

“The Western Union men, who were the first stran¬ 
gers to break into the city, haven’t slept since Tuesday. 
‘Safe,’ ‘safe,’ the monotonous words of rescue and death 
have jammed the wires since the first one was opened. 

MARTIAL LAW IS RAISED 

“The martial law declared two days ago has been 
raised for this afternoon to permit refugees to seek 
their homes. Creeping and splashing through the mud 
are countless people on their way home. Home often 
means a half house, torn and scattered across the entire 
street. But it is home anyway, and the men grabbed 
spades to shovel out the mud while women try to cook 
their meal. Sometimes it isn’t a half house; only a mud 
hole greets the refugees. 

“Howard Lowrey found a mud hole on lower River 
street. He stood knee deep in the water watching the 
people pass. A woman carrying a child came trudging 

79 


AS THE WATER SUBSIDED 

along. She was his wife, and it didn’t matter that the 
home was swept away. The family reunited, laughed 
and cried and started off arm in arm for a refugee home. 

“There are thousands of similar scenes. They would 
fill a volume that would bring tears and smiles and tell 
a story such as the world has never heard. 

“Families are being reunited in the hospital schools, 
in the refuge homes and in the morgues today. The 
residence districts, no longer covered with water, are be¬ 
ing re-entered and the houses filled. 

DEMOLISHED BUILDINGS ON EVERY SIDE 

“The streets of Dayton are again filled with people. 
Where two days ago thousands screamed their terror 
and grief groups of men and women walk today. 

“The flood has gone out of the city proper. Along 
the streets of the business and residence sections now 
the demolished buildings lie like pieces of kindling. 

“Some of the steel structures have been twisted out 
of shape, others are overthrown and scrattered along the 
squares. Mud lies two feet thick on the floors. 

“In the teller’s cage of the First National Bank 
building a horse was found. Another animal was dis¬ 
covered on the second floor of a department store. There 
are thousands of similar freaks. 

VOLUNTEERS WORK DAY AND NIGHT 

“A few blocks removed from the downtown district 
the huge corps of volunteers is working day and night. 

80 



A DAYTON FLOOD VICTIM. 

The Man Being Carried in a Canoe Was Paralyzed from the Waist Down Through Standing in Water 

for Hours. 











H 

X 

W 

X 

w 

s 

o 

u 

J 

h-J 

h—I 

& 

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< 

£ 












AS THE WATERS SUBSIDED 

“Free-lunch signs are everywhere and no one is per¬ 
mitted to ask money for food or clothing. Hundreds 
of automobiles have been provided by citizens. They 
are used to carry the sufferers to places of refuge.” 


SECRETARY GARRISON’S REPORT 

On March 29, Secretary of War Garrison, who 
had visited Dayton, at President Wilson’s request, to 
supervise the work of Government relief there, described 
the situation in a telegram to the President as follows: 

“The flood has subsided so that they have communi¬ 
cation with all parts of the city, no one being now in 
any position of peril or without food or shelter. The 
National Cash Register plant has been turned into a 
supply depot and lodging place for those who have no 
other place. 

“Surgeon-General Blue and some of his officers are 
here, as are also some naval surgeons. We are all work¬ 
ing in concert. The governor, the mayor, the local com¬ 
mittees, and the citizens have all expressed much grati¬ 
tude at the action of the national government, and have 
welcomed us warmly, all of them stating that the fact 
that a direct representative has been sent to their com¬ 
munity has been of the greatest benefit to the morale 
of the city. 


81 



AS THE WATERS SUBSIDED 


“I find a competent force is already organized to 
clean up the streets, remove the debris, and do general 
work of that description, and they have agreed to work 
under the direction of the army surgeon I leave in 
charge of sanitation. 

“The National Guard have their adjutant-general, 
George H. Wood, here in command of the military situ¬ 
ation, and he has cordially offered to co-operate in every 
way with our work of sanitation. 

“I think the situation here is very satisfactory, and 
that this community will find itself in a reassured posi¬ 
tion within a short time and facing then only the prob¬ 
lem of repair, restoration, and rehabilitation. 

“I will go back to Cincinnati tonight to get in touch 
with matters left unfinished there, and will go to Colum¬ 
bus at the earliest moment. Governor Cox tells me he 
thinks matters are in a satisfactory condition at Colum¬ 
bus, that he has ample immediate supply of medicines 
and other necessities, and that much of each is on the 
way. The weather is very fine, and there does not seem 
to be any cause for apprehension of further floods in the 
vicinity of Dayton.” 


A similar report might have been made of the con¬ 
ditions on Saturday, March 29, in other cities that had 
suffered loss of life and damage to property. 


82 



AS THE WATERS SUBSIDED 

Thus ended the week of the great flood, with relief 
systematized and the work of repairing damage begun. 
From that day on the efforts of all the people of Ohio 
and Indiana were bent on restoring former conditions 
of activity and prosperity, with the aid and goodwill of 
the whole United States. 



83 



IS 1913 UNLUCKY? 

FATAL SHOWING OF THE RECORD FOR THE FIRST QUARTER 
OF THE YEAR 

Jan. 2—Huntington, Va.; train falls through bridge, 
7 killed. 

Jan. 3—Chesapeake bay; steamer cut in two, 14 die. 

Jan. 6—San Diego, Cal.; immigration launch sinks, 
10 die. 

Jan. 13—Casas Grandes, Mex.; city attacked by 
rebels, 46 killed. 

Jan. 13—Oporto, Portugal; steamer Veronese sinks, 
43 drown. 

Feb. 7—Bluefields, Nicaragua; train wreck, 19 
drown. 

Feb. 12—Mexico City; battles in city, 1,000 killed. 

Feb. 23—Mexico City; President Madero assas¬ 
sinated. 

March 1—Omaha, Neb.; hotel fire, 10 killed. 

March 7—Baltimore, Md.; dynamite boat explodes, 
50 killed. 

March 13—New Orleans, La.; storm, 13 killed. 

March 19—Saloniki; King George of Greece assas¬ 
sinated. 

March 20—Nationwide storm kills 70. 

March 23—Omaha, Neb.; cyclone, approximately 
200 killed. 

March 25—Ohio and Indiana; widespread floods, 
several hundred deaths and tremendous destruction of 
property. 


84 


CHAPTER VI 

A BRIEF DIARY OF THE FLOOD 

An Account of Flood Conditions in General Told 
Day by Day. 

MONDAY, MARCH 24 

Rising water reported throughout the Ohio Valley. 
Partial floods prevail and fears of damage entertained, 
in many river towns. Rains heavy and continuous. 

TUESDAY, MARCH 25 

Levees give way at many points. Floods sweep 
Ohio and Indiana, isolating entire cities, causing enor¬ 
mous damage and great loss of life, and devastating 
large sections of country in all parts of both states. 
Floods also reported in Pennsylvania, Northern New 
York, Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky. Dayton, Ohio, 
reports large loss of life. Governor Cox of Ohio de¬ 
clares the disaster greatest in the state’s history. Many 
thousands homeless in Indiana and Ohio. Troops 
called out in several cities of both states. 

Miami River Valley, Ohio, towns flooded include 
Dayton, Piqua, Troy, Sidney, Carrollton, Miamisburg, 
Hamilton and a dozen smaller towns. 

Mad River Valley, West Liberty and Springfield 
flooded. Scioto River overflowed, inundating part of 
Columbus and many small communities. 

85 


DIARY OF THE FLOOD 


Olentangy River floods Delaware, Ohio; Lima 
flooded by Ottawa River and Zanesville by the Mus¬ 
kingum. 

Indianapolis flooded by White River; Peru, Ind., 
inundated and isolated, with immense damage reported. 
Fort Wayne, Logansport, Richmond and Shelbyville 
flooded. Marion, Ellwood, Broad Ripple, Lafayette, 
Rushville, Muncie and Noblesville reported partly 
under water. Terre Haute residence section flooded 
by Wabash River and Kokomo, Ind., by Wild Cat 
Creek. 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26 

Indiana flood reports grow in horror. Governor 
Ralston issues appeal for aid. Indianapolis and Peru 
suffer most of Indiana cities. President Wilson ap¬ 
peals to the nation to help flood sufferers in Ohio and 
Indiana. Early reports from Dayton indicated great 
loss of life. Thousands marooned in larger buildngs 
of flooded cities. Columbus, Cincinnati, Sidney, Tiffin, 
Delaware and other Ohio cities report many dead and 
damage immense. Flood at its height in both states. 
Generous response by people of the United States to 
appeals for aid, and relief trains started to Dayton and 
other flooded cities. 

THURSDAY, MARCH 27 

Later reports from Dayton, Ohio, indicate number 
of dead less than 200. Early reports of loss of life 
86 


DIARY OF THE FLOOD 


found to have been exaggerated by excitement and fear 
of sufferers, but damage total in all flooded cities enor¬ 
mous and sufferings of homeless victims demand 
prompt relief. The United States Government sends 
medical officers and supplies to Dayton. Contributions 
to relief funds and supplies of food and clothing begin 
to pour into the stricken cities. Many refugees rescued 
by boats as waters begin to recede. First attention of 
relief parties given to the living. Many thrilling 
escapes from flood dangers. Martial law proclaimed 
in several cities. President Wilson reported ready to 
visit flooded territory. 

FRIDAY, MARCH 28 

Estimates of deaths in Dayton and other cities drop 
as flood recedes. Homeless in Dayton reported at 
70,000 and property loss $50,000,000. Hundreds res¬ 
cued as the falling of waters tells tragedy’s extent. 
Probabilities of a pestilence feared in many cities. 
River stage at Cincinnati 64 feet, nearing the record 
stage, and city faces worst flood in its history. Peru, 
Ind., and West Indianapolis under quarantine. Shaw- 
neetown and Cairo, Ill., threatened with flood. Twenty- 
four bodies recovered from flood at Peru, Ind. Mar¬ 
tial law enforced by state troops at Dayton and 
curiosity-seekers forbidden to enter the city. Dayton 
authorities appeal for nurses, medicines, clothing and 
fuel. Communication with flooded cities re-established. 

87 


DIARY OF THE FLOOD 


SATURDAY, MARCH 29 

Bodies of 121 victims recovered at Dayton. Work 
of rebuilding shattered homes begins. Secretary of 
War Garrison at Dayton and reports to President 
Wilson on situation there, then left to inspect condi¬ 
tions and superintend the Government relief work at 
Cincinnati and Columbus. Lack of water supply 
causes suffering and sickness in Dayton. Thousands 
of homes submerged in Cincinnati and 15,000 persons 
homeless; river stage 67,feet. Homeless in all stricken 
cities being cared for by relief committees. Govern¬ 
ment health officer left at Dayton to prevent pestilence. 
Waters continue to recede at Dayton, but rising from 
Cincinnati to Cairo. Illinois troops ordered to Shaw- 
neetown. Dayton organizes force to clean up city. 

SUNDAY, MARCH 30 

Dayton reports relief required for 40,000 homeless; 
15,000 houses in city require rebuilding. Waterworks 
open but pressure feeble owing to open pipes in 
wrecked houses. Columbus and other cities faced by 
problem of food supply. Cairo, Ill., threatened with 
flood; river stage 51.5 feet. Chicago regiment of Illi¬ 
nois National Guard ordered to Cairo to fight new 
floods. Many churches in the United States take up 
special collections to aid flood sufferers. People of 
Columbus, Dayton, Zanesville and other stricken cities 
88 


DIARY OF THE FLOOD 


cleaning up after receding waters. Columbus death 
list reported at 64; Dayton, 150; Hamilton, 50; Mi- 
amisburg, 50; Tiffin, 18; Chillicothe, 18; Middletown, 
14; Fremont, 14; Piqua, 13; Harrison, 12; Zanesville, 
10; Peru, Ind., 24; Brookville, 16; Fort Wayne, 6; 
Terre Haute, 4. 

MONDAY, MARCH 31 

Relief systematized in Dayton. Martial law to 
prevail during clean-up. Citizens’ relief committee, 
with John H. Patterson, president of the National 
Cash Register Company, as chairman, in charge of 
relief work. An emergency form of government to 
prevail during the period of reconstruction and reha¬ 
bilitation. Other stricken cities in Ohio and Indiana 
recovering from disaster and repairing damages. 
Danger of flood in Cairo and other Illinois towns 
grows, but levees hold. 


89 



. . • ■' ■ 

The "Cali"* 

I I I . . . . m dfmmm+Ztmmk+m* 


-—St. Louis Globe-Democrat. 


90 













CHAPTER VII 


STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES 

Exciting Experiences of Travelers Through the 
Flooded Districts of Ohio and Indiana 

Stories straight from the death-dealt flood fields of 
Ohio and Indiana were told by arrivals in Chicago on 
Wednesday, March 26, who came through the inundated 
territory on the last of the crawling, halted trains able 
to get over water weakened rails hoursdbehind schedule. 
From the car windows these passengers saw the water 
eating its way over the land, the bands of despairing 
refugees and hundreds of wrecked homes. They ex¬ 
perienced an unwelcome thrill when trains on which they 
rode wormed their way over swaying bridges and were 
able to help some of the sufferers. 

REACH FLOODED DISTRICT 

First eyewitnesses of the flooded region reached Chi¬ 
cago at 7:45 a. m., via the Baltimore & Ohio railroad 
eleven hours late. They had seen residents driven from 
their homes, swept along the flood in boats and other 
craft, and houses, barns and bridges demolished. 

“We reached the flooded district late yesterday aft¬ 
ernoon,” said W. H. Chown of South Wales on his way 
91 


STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES 


to San Francisco. “We passed Youngstown, which 
was full of water, and then brought up suddenly in front 
of a treacherous bridge spanning a river which had raced 
from its banks and covered the surrounding country for 
miles. There we stuck for five hours. The supports at 
the end of the bridge appeared very shaky and there was 
a debate as to whether to attempt a crossing. When we 
did so we went slowly and could feel the bridge sway¬ 
ing and creaking beneath us. 

“For miles and miles in many places we saw noth¬ 
ing but water. Farm houses stood partly submerged 
and in many places we saw people crawling out of 
windows into boats, carrying clothing and bundles with 
them. Every stream seemed to be racing at top speed 
and most of them had left their channels completely.” 

SEEN BY PENNSYLVANIA PATRONS 

Experiences of and sights observed by passen¬ 
gers on Pennsylvania railroad trains were told when 
they arrived on a combination train made up of three 
of the fastest trains on that system. The train, which 
was composed of parts of the twenty hour New York- 
Chicago special, the eastern flyer and the fast mail 
trains, came into the union station at 10:45 a. m. 
Wednesday, many hours behind schedule. 

Perry Hollister and Roy Taylor of Ravenna, O., 
saw more of the flooded conditions than the majority 
of the others upon the train. 


92 


STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES 


“When we boarded the train at Ravenna, O., the 
rain was coming down in torrents,” said Mr. Hollister. 
“It had been raining that way for hours, but that town 
had not suffered to any great extent. We proceeded 
to Toledo without encountering any difficulty. How¬ 
ever, all along the line to Toledo we saw great expanses 
of water. 

“When we neared Toledo, though, we began to see 
what was the extent of the flood. On the outskirts of 
that city there was nothing but water. Barns had been 
swept from their original sites and were being washed 
about aimlessly. It was hard to tell the depth because 
everything was water. 

POLE ABOUT IN CRUDE RAFTS 

“Many of the men had built crude rafts and they 
were poling these about through what I suppose were 
once streets. Some of them appealed to the engineer 
of our train as it was passing to stop and take them 
aboard and he complied. These people were brought to 
Toledo. All they did was moan and weep about their 
losses. The wind was raw, too, and some of them were 
nearly frozen when we took them aboard. 

“Toledo was struck badly. The lower part of the 
city was under water.” 

HUNDREDS OF HOMES DESTROYED 

“Our ride on the train was a long period of awful 
suspense,” said Mrs. Henrietta Lama of Pittsburgh. 

93 


STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES 


“Every moment we feared that the train would be 
wrecked. 

“The women on board were wonderfully calm and 
collected, however. The men seemed even more excited 
than we were. 

“Hundreds of homes were destroyed along the route. 
Dead animals of all kinds were seen floating around in 
the water-filled ditches. 

“The track was covered with water. The engineer 
was unable to see the track. At times he was forced to 
halt the train and explore the conditions of the rails for 
yards ahead. 

“It seemed as though he was taking a chance in go¬ 
ing at a high rate of speed over the tracks he could not 
see, and it was this that made us somewhat nervous. 

“Much damage to property was done in Lima, 
Ohio. There we saw hundreds of homeless families and 
many who had been injured.” 

SEES FAMILIES FLEEING 

J. F. Holmes of Fargo, N. D., another passenger, 
said: 

“The scenes along the track of the flood-swept towns 
were the most pitiful I have ever witnessed. Horses 
were drowned before my eyes as well as cows, pigs and 
thousands and thousands of chickens. 

“Hundreds of persons were walking on the tracks, 


94 


STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES 


knee deep in water, carrying with them the most precious 
of their household effects. The women were in tears. 

“Many families were in small boats, which were so 
heavily loaded they appeared in momentary danger of 
overturning. 

“The train I was on was lucky to get through with¬ 
out mishap. I understand that miles of the track was 
swept away a few moments after we had passed over it.” 

HOMES FLOAT IN STREETS 

“In Fort Wayne the water had risen to the second 
windows of homes when we passed through,” said 
George B. Dodge of Boston. “Several homes had been 
demolished and were floating about in the streets. 

“Temporary platforms were built to allow pas¬ 
sengers to get on and off of the trains. There were not 
many who got off, however.” 

A ROUNDABOUT ROUTE 

W. R. Sullivan, a Dayton business man on his way 
to Denver, heard of the flood while at Grand Island, 
Neb. He returned to Lincoln, Neb., where the diffi¬ 
culties of travel began. He darted to Kansas City, 
where delay confronted him; back to St. Joseph, Mo.; 
but here, too, no railroad would promise to deliver him 
to Dayton. Finally he went to St. Louis, caught a train 
to Guthrie, Ky.; worked back through Louisville to 
Cincinnati, and from the last city arrived home in an 
automobile. He found the relief committee had com- 


95 


STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES 


mandeered his own motor car and that his wife had given 
away most of her bedding, clothing and food, but that 
she and the children were safe. 

Satisfied, Mr. Sullivan offered his services to the city. 
His story is a sample of hundreds. 

SWIMS IN SEEKING FAMILY 

A druggist of Anderson, Ind., whose family was 
visiting in Dayton, arrived in a state of collapse. Des¬ 
pairing of traveling by rail, he set out to conquer the 
flood. Where he could he hired vehicles, but he pursued a 
straight course, fording or swimming icy waters, plung¬ 
ing through swamps and crawling over broken and 
dangerous trestles. His feet, knees and hands were 
swollen when he reached Richmond, Ind. 

Then he offered $150 and a new set of tires for a 
machine to take him the forty-three miles to Dayton, 
but none would take the risk. Later Sharon Jones, who 
was in charge of forwarding relief at Richmond, bundled 
him into one of the relief automobiles and he completed 
the trip. 

Jones learned his story, but not his name. It is not 
known whether he found his family. 

PROFESSOR ON ROOF TWO DAYS 

After being marooned two days on the roof of the 
Union station at Dayton, Ohio, living the first day on a 
bit of milk chocolate and later on food he seized as it 


96 



View from the Hickory Street School, Dayton, Looking Northwest, After the Water Had Partly Subsided. 














Motor Boats Proved of Invaluable Service in the Work of Rescue, 
as Depicted Above. 















STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES 


floated near his perch, Professor H. W. Mumford of the 
college of agriculture, University of Illinois, reached his 
home in Champaign, Ill., March 29. 

‘‘It was an experience I shall never forget,” said 
Professor Mumford. 

“I left home last Sunday for Springfield, Ohio, and 
expected to return Tuesday morning. When I got to 
Dayton I changed cars, took the first train and went to 
bed. When I woke up in the morning I was still in 
Dayton, my train had not left the station. 

“The flood had come up suddenly and there was no 
chance for escape.” 

RISKS LIFE FOR FOOD 

Samuel F. Dutton, of Denver, president of the 
Albany Hotel Company, came to Chicago directly from 
Youngstown, Ohio, having left that city on the B. & 
O. just before the flood tide swept through it. He 
and a brakeman narrowly escaped with their lives while 
attempting to get food for a score of women and chil¬ 
dren after their train had stood motionless over night 
only seventeen miles north of Youngstown. The two 
arrived safely at a farm house half a mile away through 
torrents of rain. The water rose so rapidly -that it was 
waist deep in low places before they started to return. 
The trainman, whose name was Martin, was swept from 
his feet. A wire fence saved his life. 


97 


STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES 


WOMAN DESCRIBES FEARS 

Mrs. C. E. Clifton, president of the Evanston 
Woman’s Club, arrived in Chicago March 26 from At¬ 
lantic City. Hers was one of the last trains to make its 
way through the flooded district. The lives of more 
than a hundred people were imperiled when it crossed 
a tottering bridge just out of Lima, Ohio, which twenty 
minutes later was swept away. The train traversed 
tracks which were under water most of the time. 

“Our train was one of the last to come through the 
flood district,” she said. “We arrived in Chicago more 
than nine hours late. In Lima the water was from four 
to eight feet deep, each street looking like a mountain 
torrent. The upper floors of office buildings were 
crowded with people who had either deserted their 
homes or been marooned. In coming from Baltimore 
we traveled over four different railroads, being switched 
from one to another as word reached us that washouts 
had occurred. Sometimes after proceeding several miles 
from a junction town we were compelled to back up 
and take another route. The town of Lafayette, Ohio, 
was completely covered with water and we saw houses 
that had been torn from their foundations as if made of 
paper. 

“Just after we left Lima we crossed a bridge which 
barely stood above the surface of the water. It swayed 
dangerously as we crept across it. Twenty minutes 
later, we heard, it was swept away.” 

98 


STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES 


STORY OF EUGENE YSAYE 

Chicago may rejoice in a new title, “The City of 
Heavenly Rest,” bestowed on it March 28 by Eugene 
Ysaye, the violinist, who arrived there after four days 
in the flooded district beyond reach of telephone or tele¬ 
graph or railroad trains. In his watery adventures he 
missed engagements in Detroit and Cincinnati and 
barely made his concert with the Chicago Symphony 
Orchestra. 

“So tired, so tired,” he said holding his head wearily, 
when he left the stage at Orchestra hall and walked in 
a sort of daze to his dressing room. “I’m going to bed, 
and O, it will be so good! This is the city of heavenly 
rest.” 

On the train which arrived from Indianapolis after 
detouring over the Big Four, Monon, Pennsylvania, 
and Lake Shore tracks, were M. Ysaye, his son, Gabriel, 
and Rudolph Ganz, the Swiss pianist, who was ^gath¬ 
ered up on the way. All were exhausted. 

“We gave the Monday night concert in Oxford, 
O., and went to bed well pleased,” said the violinist, 
still holding his head. “When we were to start for Cin¬ 
cinnati on the following morning, we were told all the 
tracks were gone, and the telegraph and telephone 
gone. Rain? Don’t talk about it. We found we 
might possibly get a train by going to Hamilton, thir¬ 
teen miles away. We got together five carriages, loaded 


99 


STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES 

our six trunks, and fourteen bags aboard, and pre¬ 
pared to start. The girls at the college burst into great 
applause, and one of the teams bolted down the road 
and smashed the rig. 

“We loaded up again in the rain and reached the 
river just west of Hamilton. Then the horror broke 
on us, for we saw the great bridge gone, the yellow, 
swirling river* at our feet, and down the channel were 
tossing whole houses with persons screaming from the 
roofs. I watched, spellbound. Then back we went 
to Oxford, the horses exhausted, and one of the car¬ 
riages broken. We arrived at 9 o’clock at night, after 
an all day drenching, and nothing accomplished. 

WHEN YSAYE DIDN’T LAUGH 

“We set out for Detroit on Wednesday by driving 
tw T enty-eight miles to Richmond, Ind. I remember go¬ 
ing through one ravine where the water was rushing 
four feet deep. I got wet. The others laughed. I 
didn’t. And in Richmond we were no better off, for all 
the roads were gone. 

“And then we got to Indianapolis, I don’t know how, 
except that the engine and tender and baggage coach 
ran off the track, and it took until midnight to get them 
back. Then we crawled along to Elkhart. There we 
found a telegraph wire open and in great relief snapped 
a message off to Chicago. We beat it in, and it took 


100 


STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES 


us more than four hours to make the trip, leaving no 
time for rehearsal.” 

“What did you do then?” 

Ysaye grinned for the first time. 

“I went to my hotel,” he said, “and—took a different 
kind of bath.” 

CO-EDS DESCRIBE FLOOD SCENES 

Four weary young women, co-eds from Ohio Wes¬ 
leyan University at Delaware, Ohio, climbed from a 
Pullman on a delayed Lake Shore train on Friday 
afternoon, March 28. They were the first arrivals in 
Chicago from the actual scenes of death and desolation 
attending the floods throughout central Ohio. 

Eagerly questioned by newspaper men, the young 
women talked freely of their experience and painted 
graphic word pictures of the horrors of the inundation of 
a large part of the town of Delaware. 

They were: Miss Florence Wyman of 3633 Shef¬ 
field avenue, student in general work and instructor in 
the art school of the university; Edith and Esther 
Quayle and Mabel Lees, all of Oak Park, Ill. 

“The thought that is uppermost in my mind,” said 
JVIiss Wyman, “is not so much of the horror that has 
passed as of the greater horror that must inevitably 
come to those poor people in Delaware and elsewhere 
throughout the flooded district. There are some dead 
bodies still in the houses in Delaware and elsewhere in 


101 


STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES 


Ohio, and it is staggering to the imagination to attempt 
to conjure up the picture of desolation, famine and pesti¬ 
lence that will follow the recession of the waters. 

A HORRIBLE NIGHTMARE 

“The flood itself was like a horrible nightmare. The 
water crept up slowly, but, oh, so steadily and relent¬ 
lessly. First it was six inches deep in some of the lower 
streets; then a foot deep, and at last it had covered all 
the lower part of town and was lapping at the foot of the 
hills, while the houses in the flooded portion stood, many 
of them, with only the upper stories and roofs visible. 

“And on nearly every house there was a family, or 
what was left of the family, clinging to the ridgepole 
and chimneys and praying for deliverance. 

“The university stands on the highest hill in town, 
and we were not affected by the flood itself. But all 
night, the first night, the 300 girls in Monnett Hall, our 
dormitory, walked the floor and wept and prayed as the 
wails of the unfortunates only a few blocks away were 
borne to their ears. Closed windows could not keep out 
the sound. Now and then a woman shrieked above the 
general lamentations, and we knew when that sound 
reached us that some one had seen a loved relative, an 
aged father or mother, or perhaps a child, lose the grip 
of numbed fingers and slide off iiito the black, chill 
waters. 


102 


STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES 


RESCUE WORK MAKES HEROES 

“Throughout the night the men students and mem¬ 
bers of the faculty did what they could to rescue the 
sufferers, but we had no boats at the university and it 
was almost impossible to guide a raft through the black¬ 
ness of the night, which was intensified by a cold, 
drizzling rain. 

“As soon as dawn came the boys got together in an 
organized rescue corps. Our school produced a hundred 
heroes in half an hour. Every one of those students 
risked death on the flimsy rafts they were able to con¬ 
struct, but they never hesitated. They found some small 
boats, too, and did as well as they could with these. Pro¬ 
fessor W. E. Dixon, the physical director of the univer¬ 
sity headed the work of rescue. 

“Some of the houses could not he reached at all. The 
rafts were unmanageable, and the few boats were 
smashed one after another as they were caught by the 
eddying currents.” 

SAVED FROM STARVATION 

This is the story told by a reporter at Sidney, Ohio, 
who returned Thursday afternoon from Piqua: 

“The four carloads of provisions that were sent to 
Piqua from Lima saved survivors from starvation. Food 
stocks in the stricken city were completely exhausted 
when the supply train arrived. 

“At 4 o’clock Thursday four bodies had been recov- 

103 


STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES 

ered. The bodies of the others who lost their lives 
are in the lowlands. The exact number of lives lost in 
the flood will never be known. 

“Pooltables in the poolrooms at Piqua were utilized 
as beds. Men, women and children slept Wednesday 
night on the floors of the churches, schools and lodge 
rooms. 

“Residents whose homes escaped the flood opened 
their houses to the less fortunate. The Plaza Hotel, 
which had several feet of water in it when the flood was 
at its height, sheltered hundreds of the homeless.” 

WHAT A LECTURER SAW 

Thrilling stories of the flooded district in Ohio were 
told by the Rev. E. R. O’Neal, who returned to Chicago 
March 28 from a lecture tour. He said he saw rescuers 
take twenty-eight bodies from the river at Delaware, O. 

“All of the small towns along the river have been 
deluged,” he said. “The greatest problem is food. The 
victims are starving and freezing to death. Those who 
are able to work are making every effort to rescue and 
help others. There is no communication between the 
towns. 

“While at Delaware I saw college students make 
many thrilling rescues by swimming out into the swift 
current and swimming back with a flood victim. One 
young man swam out and rescued thirty persons in one 
day. He was the bravest fellow I ever saw. 


104 


STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES 


WOMEN AND CHILDREN AFLOAT 

“I saw a house with one woman and three children 
clinging to the roof floating down the stream. The 
house was whirling and bobbing up and down in the 
water. The woman was screaming for help. Persons 
on the edge of the flood had a small boat, but they 
could not row fast enough to catch up with the house. 

“The house bore down on the Pennsylvania railroad 
bridge and crashed against it. The mother caught the 
bridge and held on. The children went down, but came 
up again near a tree. The eldest child helped the other 
two and held on to the tree. The boat put out and 
rescued all of them. 

“A few minutes later a house with an old man about 
75 years and his wife floated down the stream. The 
woman was lying on the roof. The old man was holding 
her. Suddenly the house struck a tree and the brick 
chimney fell off. Then we saw the old man lift his wife 
in his arms and carry her to the chimney hole in the 
roof and let her down into it. When the rescuers put 
out in a boat and caught up with the house, one of the 
rescuers inquired of the woman. 

“ ‘She is dead,’ said the old man. ‘She died two 
hours ago, and I was afraid to let her lie on the roof 
because the water would carry her away.’ 

“I saw another house with a man and woman cling¬ 
ing to the chimney to keep from falling ^ff. The house 
105 


STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES 


struck a tree and the chimney crumbled. Both went 
down before the boat reached them and we never saw 
them again. These are only a few instances of the 
horrible things seen in the flooded district. 

MEANEST MAN IN THE WORLD 

“X went from Delaware to Prospect and the,same 
tragedies were repeated. At Prospect X saw the mean¬ 
est man in the world. The meanest man, I think, is a 
farmer who owned a boat at Prospect. He lived across 
the river from the town. He lent his boat to a Baptist 
minister who used it for rescue work. They saved more 
than a dozen women and children during the day. It 
was the only boat in the town. 

“Although the minister could not rescue but two 
persons at a time he was doing noble work. Many 
persons were swept away before the boat could reach 
them. Late in the afternoon the farmer came to the 
shore and announced he wanted the boat. He declared 
he would take the boat by force. He said he wanted 
the boat to go across the river and attend to some 
business. 

“The minister refused to give up-the boat, but of¬ 
fered to row the farmer across the dangerous river, if 
he could keep the boat. The farmer grudgingly as¬ 
sented, and a newspaper man from Marion and the 
minister rowed him across. It was the first attempt 
106 


STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES 


to take the boat across the swift river and was extremely 
dangerous. 

“The preacher declared he would take any risk in 
order to keep the boat. They landed the farmer across 
the river after much difficulty. They started back and 
when in the middle of the stream the boat capsized and 
both went down. With the boat hundreds of persons 
could have been rescued. 

BREAD FAMINE AT DELAWARE 

“The victims need food more than anything else. 
There is a bread famine at Delaware. To show they 
were willing to do anything to help the sufferers more 
than 100 students at Wesleyan college volunteered to 
leave the city so there would be 100 less to feed. The 
students departed at night for their homes in different 
parts of the country. 

“At Celina I saw the same suffering. The town 
was under ten feet of water. I saw them take ten bodies 
from the water at Massillon, O. Prospect, O., is under 
fourteen feet of water and the river at that point is 
four miles wide. I saw them take more than a dozen 
bodies from the water. 

“The reports of the dead have not been sent in from 
these small towns and the country will be sufficiently 
appalled when the full number is known. From what 
I saw there is little wonder that the reports have been 
exaggerated. 


107 


STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES 


“Piqua and Fostoria are under water and many 
people are drowned. The nearest I could get to Dayton 
was Piqua. Most of the town was under water. It 
was impossible to get to Dayton.” 

DIES AFTER BEING RESCUED 

At Delaware, Ohio, William Fielding clung to a 
tree for three days and was rescued only to die of ex¬ 
posure. A Mr. Rainer was marooned in the top of a 
tree for three days and a half and was rescued. He 
became ill from his frightful experience. A little girl 
was picked up at Delaware from a raft on which she 
had floated five miles from Stratford. 

NURSE MEETS TRIPLE MISFORTUNE 

One of the saddest passengers who arrived in Chi¬ 
cago from the flooded district was Miss M. Wilkins, a 
trained nurse. She was in tears when she stepped off 
the Dixie flyer at the LaSalle street station. 

“I had gone to Jacksonville, Fla., in response to a 
message stating that my sister was seriously ill there,” 
she said. “Almost as soon as I arrived there I received 
a message telling of the destruction of our home, three 
miles north of Omaha. All of the members of my 
family, the message said, had been hurt, my mother 
seriously. Of course, I immediately started back for 
the west. 

“Coming through Ohio we were caught by the floods 
and were delayed for a long time. The scenes of suf- 
108 


STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES 

fering that I saw there naturally did not have a cheering 
effect on me, full of worry as I was for my own people 
in Omaha. I hope I have seen the worst and will be 
able to get back to my family before anything serious 
happens.” 

SAW FLOOD BEGINNING 

“God save Peru! I left there late last night and 
just saw the start of the flood. If it keeps on it will 
be awful. There is no way of stopping the Wabash 
river as it was rushing through Peru yesterday. There 
are no banks to it whatever, and it flows but a few 
blocks from the main business district. Only a miracle 
can save the people who live in the lowlands.” 

This statement, the first personal information to 
reach South Bend March 27 concerning the Peru dis¬ 
aster, was made by a traveling man from Chicago, who 
was deeply impressed with fear of the possibilities. For¬ 
tunately the outcome, though horrible enough, was not 
so bad as he evidently anticipated. 

Vivid stories of the havoc worked by the floods in 
Indiana towns were related by R. W. Duke of Kokomo, 
Ind., and John F. Fox of Chicago, who arrived in Chi¬ 
cago from the flooded regions by the Pennsylvania Rail¬ 
road March 28. 

“When I received the first news of the floods I 
boarded a train at Kokomo on the Erie Railroad for 
Peru in order to assist my relatives, who live there,” 
109 


STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES 


said Mr. Duke. “We found the track washed out when 
we arrived within three miles of my destination and were 
forced to take a rowboat to enter Peru. The scenes 
which I witnessed in Peru will live forever in my 
memory. 

'‘People were floating about on rafts, waiting to be 
rescued. The work of the relief committees is confined 
to aiding the living. No time has been found to seek 
the bodies of those who perished.” 

SEES BRIDGE SWEPT AWAY 

Glenn Marston, editor of the Public Service Maga¬ 
zine, arrived in Chicago March 29 from Columbus. 
“Things occurred in such rapid succession that it was 
impossible to remember them all,” said Mr. Marston. 
“On Wednesday, when the flood was at its height, I 
climbed to the roof of the Crittenden Hotel. From 
that point I saw at least 500 people standing on house¬ 
tops, waving tablecloths, towels and other things, in an 
effort to attract attention. When I was trying to get 
out of Columbus on Thursday afternoon I saw several 
people, including a number of women, standing on the 
High street bridge. I was astounded when I saw the 
bridge suddenly swept away, taking with it the people 
who had endeavored to cross. It was impossible to aid 
them and they sank in a whirling pool before my eyes.” 


no 


CHAPTER VIII 


WHAT A CORRESPONDENT SAW 

Concise and Interesting Story by One of the 

First Visitors to Dayton After the Flood. 

Mr. Eugene J. Cour, a special correspondent of the 
Chicago Journal, returned on Saturday, March 29, 
from Dayton with a graphic story of the great flood. 
Mr. Cour made many photographs while standing 
shoulder deep in icy water. He escaped from the flood 
and walked 26 miles to a railway to get a train that 
would take him back to Chicago. 

Mr. Cour’s photographs of conditions in Dayton 
were the first to be published in Chicago. 

For four days and three nights Mr. Cour was unable 
.to lie down even for a moment. When he reached his 
home office he was utterly exhausted. The following 
story was dictated to a stenographer while Mr. Cour 
sat propped up in a chair: 


I was the first man from west of the Miami river 
to reach Dayton. The scenes of destruction and deso¬ 
lation are almost indescribable. 


in 



WHAT A CORRESPONDENT SAW 


A specially chartered boat carried me through the 
fashionable residence district, which was still under fif¬ 
teen feet of water. Men and women were weeping 
and begging for food and water to drink. 

The rescuers were carrying mud-bedraggled, hag¬ 
gard men and women to the boats. Their limbs were 
temporarily paralyzed from standing in the water up 
to their armpits for thirty-two hours. Many had babies 
and children in their arms. 

Frame cottages from North Dayton, which had been 
carried two miles to this district, were smashed into 
kindling in front yards and streets. Hundreds of 
wrecked automobiles, street cars and wagons interfered 
with the rescue boats. The asphalt pavements had been 
torn up and strewn in huge piles along the streets. 

Dead animals lay all about the city. The Algon¬ 
quin hotel, at one time reported burned, and the Y. M. 
C. A. building, in which 1,500 persons sought shelter, 
were both intact, though under several feet of mud and 
debris. A team of dead horses blocked the entrance to 
the Algonquin. 

At the Union station, where 600 persons were re¬ 
ported drowned, I found eighteen dead horses, the relief 
train having taken the 600 refugees to the camps. I 
investigated every report of bodies found and learned 
of only two that had been recovered in the downtown 
district. 

Tl2 



Rescuers at Work in Dayton, Ohio. The Scene is on the West Side, Where Enormous Damage Was Done 

























WHAT A CORRESPONDENT SAW 

The burned area covers two square blocks. There 
was little danger of the fire spreading, as the fifteen 
feet of water inundating the buildings proved an effec¬ 
tual barrier. 

I learned that the soldiers found it necessary only 
twice to fire on looters. In neither case were the thieves 
injured. 

The principal cause of destruction in the Dayton 
View district was the breaking of the levee, which let 
in tons of water, and piled up hundreds of houses and 
barns against the principal residences and buildings. 

BUILDINGS FILLED WITH MUD 

The force of the current had washed deep ditches 
through the asphalt streets and carried the mud of the 
levee and river into the buildings, filling them in some 
places as deep as three feet. 

Following the flood, it rained or snowed continu¬ 
ously. 

The Dayton View schoolhouse, military headquarters 
and the refugee station for the City of Dayton, was 
crowded with the thousands who had been rescued from 
the waters. Here they were fed and given medical 
treatment. From this point they were sent to the various 
homes on the heights. 

The real necessity seemed to be water. There was 
no means of distributing the little water on hand. 

Nearly all rescued were thoroughly soaked and 

113 


WHAT A CORRESPONDENT SAW 

chilled. There was no way of warming them or furnish¬ 
ing them with dry clothing. Forty-five automobiles were 
running continuously from this point, carrying refugees 
to homes and churches. 

NONE COMPLAINED OF LOSSES 
No one complained of the losses they suffered and 
none dared to estimate the casualties. 

When I asked survivors whether they knew person¬ 
ally of any loss of life, especially in their own families 
they burst into tears and turned away, unable to answer. 

The first person to make an estimate of the calamity 
was a military guard at Dayton bridge. I asked him if 
the report that 1,600 were dead was true. He told me 
that this was a conservative estimate. 

At the Summerdale school in Riverdale, the military 
headquarters, the same conditions prevailed as at Day- 
ton View. Here, however, the poor of the stricken 
city, the real sufferers of the flood, were being tenderly 
cared for. 

CLIMB A TELEGRAPH POLE 
Paul Siegel, a refugee and an employee of the 
National Cash Register Company, told this story: 

“I saw fourteen people on debris jammed between a 
lamppost and a telegraph pole. The jam began to 
break up and the people climbed frantically up the tele¬ 
graph pole. Several of them were women. 

“One held a baby in her arms. All the fourteen 


114 


WHAT A CORRESPONDENT SAW 


reached a safe place on the pole. We watched through 
the night and could distinguish them at intervals in the 
flare of the fires raging in the city. Several attempts 
were made to reach them, but the current was im¬ 
passable. At dawn there were five left. These were 
rescued later in the day.” 

WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST 

In all rescue work, the women and children were 
cared for first. In the thousands of rescues made, not a 
man of Dayton attempted to violate the law of “women 
and children first,” though this adherence cost the lives 
of many. 

At the foot of the Dayton View bridge, the estab¬ 
lished rescue station, newborn babies were taken from 
the boats. Mothers were unconscious. In many in¬ 
stances women were taken from beds to their two and 
three day old infants. 

The rescuers were hampered in this work because 
practically the only boats were unstable canoes, and 
there were far too few of these. It was reported that 
in several cases where invalids were being taken ashore 
the boats were overturned and rescuers and rescued alike 
perished in the muddy waters. 

WORK OF HEROIC RESCUERS 

Rescuers, police and soldiers have no relief. They 
work until exhausted and are carried to huge log fires, 
where they sleep in the mud. There are men that Day- 

115 


WHAT A CORRESPONDENT SAW 


ton will never forget and that Ohio is proud of. This is 
the consensus of opinion of those who are held at the 
outer fringe of the swirling waters and have witnessed 
the results of the work of the heroes. 

THE FIRST RELIEF TRAIN 

The first relief to reach Dayton was sent Wednesday 
by farmers of the surrounding country, following an 
appeal for aid for the women, children and babies of the 
stricken city. The appeal was carried from town to 
town by automobiles, and a relief train made up of a 
switch engine and seven cars, which had been marooned 
on a thirty-mile strip of the Pennsylvania tracks, was 
given right of way. 

The farmers responded so promptly that the seven 
cars were filled at the first three stations. The supplies 
were principally eggs, milk, potatoes and freshly killed 
cattle and hogs. 

The tracks on the different lines had been mended 
by Wednesday night. Soon they were congested on the 
north side of Dayton by relief trains hurrying into the 
city. 

FARMERS SEND COOKED FOOD 

The practical farmers, realizing the conditions, have, 
in every case, tried to send cooked foods. All flour 
donated and confiscated has been turned over to the 
housewives and the lights in the farmhouses and homes 


116 


WHAT A CORRESPONDENT SAW 


in the small towns can be seen burning all night. There 
bread is being baked by the women. 

In my journey to Dayton I found that the water 
everywhere east of Lafayette had reached its record 
flood mark. I was first stopped at West Indianapolis 
by the White river, which had carried away all com¬ 
munication with Indianapolis. The three available boats 
in the town were being used to rescue 450 women and 
children from Schoolhouse No. 16 and others from 
house roofs. 

I got a guide and detoured north and around Eagle 
creek, seeking a place to make the passage across. Here 
we found conditions worse. There was a report that 
300 were dead. We trailed back through the mud to 
West Indianapolis and found an abandoned boat. With 
this we struck out in an attempt to cross the torrent. 

IN WATER UP TO HIS ARMPITS 

We shot Niagara-like rapids for two blocks before 
we could get through the current into still water. We 
rowed about a quarter of a mile when our boat struck 
bottom. We found we were upon a submerged railroad 
yard. It was necessary to get out of the boat and drag 
it from track to track. Sometimes we were up to our 
armpits in water. Finally we struck a washout. 

While pulling at the boat I slipped into the washout. 
With the assistance of the guide I was able to get back 

117 


WHAT A CORRESPONDENT SAW 


to the boat, although I had been completely “ducked*' 
in the icy water. 

From this point we experienced little difficulty in 
reaching the west end of the Vandalia bridge. The 
bridge was in imminent danger of going out. We crossed 
this as quickly as our chilled limbs would permit. We 
made the journey in a raging blizzard. We reached 
Indianapolis late in the evening. 

Here I learned that the Big Four railroad would 
attempt to put a work train over a route which would 
bring me within thirty miles of Dayton. 

WENT WITH WORK TRAIN 

I got permission to go with the train. We made the 
journey easily, but were forced to get out of the train 
at frequent intervals to remove telegraph poles and 
other impediments from the track, which had been 
hurled there by the storm. 

We reached Arcanum, thirty miles north of Dayton, 
at 1:30 Wednesday afternoon. 

Here I found hundreds of men and women of 
Dayton cut off from their families, terrorized by the 
rumor (which happily proved unfounded) that there 
were 10,000 dead. 

Every available conveyance was confiscated to rush 
relief to Dayton. None of the hundreds had been able 
to get any nearer the stricken city. Some had attempted 
to walk, but the strain under which they labored soon 


118 


WHAT A CORRESPONDENT SAW 


broke them down and kind farmers led them back to 
the little city. 

COMES UPON A HANDCAR 

I decided that I must strike out for Dayton at once 
and started to walk. I crossed the traction lines and 
reached the Dayton & Union railroad tracks. Here I 
spied a handcar in possession of five men. They were 
carrying it across a switch. 

I ran about a quarter of a mile and hailed them be¬ 
fore they got started. I was out of breath, but they got 
my signal and waited for me. I explained to them that I 
would pay any reasonable price to ride with them as far 
as they would go toward Dayton. 

They refused to take anyone. They were carrying 
supplies to the stricken city. I jumped on to the car in 
spite of their remonstrance. 

“If this car won’t go with me on board I’ll get off,” 
I told them. 

The little gasoline motor chugged just as strongly 
with my added weight, and I was immediately booked 
as a passenger. 

We reached Dodson Junction and the operator at 
this point informed the man in charge of the handcar 
that the first relief train was expected through in a 
short time, and that, although they could not permit 
him to carry in supplies, he could wait for the relief 
train. 


119 


WHAT A CORRESPONDENT SAW 


From this point I took the relief train to within three 
miles of Dayton. I walked from there to military head¬ 
quarters at Dayton View. After being assured of the 
genuineness of my credentials, Major Huber granted 
me a military pass. This was at 3:30 Wednesday after¬ 
noon. I walked across the Dayton View bridge. Here 
I got my first glimpse of the stricken city. 

The terrors, later unfolded, were obscured. There 
was a slight sleet falling which cast a curtain over the 
panorama of the submerged town. 

The women and children in this part of Dayton had 
nearly all been rescued and the rescuers were bringing 
out the men who had been left behind. They refused to 
take me to the business section in a boat, declaring that 
lives were at stake, and that there were too few boats to 
lend space to a newspaper man. 

FINDS A FRIEND AT LAST 

A young man who owned a canoe volunteered to take 
me into the city of Dayton. It was a hard pull against 
the current. We reached within a block of dry pave¬ 
ment. Here we were cut off by debris. I was forced to 
climb over the debris and waded into the city through 
muddy water hip deep. 

I gained dry land at about 4 o’clock. The military 
guards were then ordering the people into their homes, 
permitting nobody to be on the streets after that time. 

After some difficulty I finally was permitted to make 


120 


WHAT A CORRESPONDENT SAW 


a tour through the downtown section. I was passed 
from one guard to another. I made pictures in every 
direction as I walked rapidly down the streets. The 
third guard refused to allow a violation of the military 
orders. I explained that I did not belong in the city, 
displaying my credentials, but he curtly replied: 
“You’re all right; swim.” 

Two hundred people were waiting to get to the 
refugee stations. There were two boats, a canoe which 
would carry two persons and a small flat-bottomed affair 
which would hold three. 

The guard kept a line formed and at the rate the 
boats were progressing I was about 200 hours from dry 
land. I made a detour, crossing a jam of lumber and 
other debris which reached out about a block and a half 
into the flood. 

Testing the depth, I found a shallow spot, knee deep. 

I removed my coat and wrapped up my camera, and 
set out. 

GRAVEL KNEE-DEEP IN STREET 

I thought I might be able to reach the other side of 
the break in the levee. I found, after wading to my arm- 
pits, that the current had washed out to a considerable 
depth. I struck off for Monument avenue. I got 
through to the avenue by way of an alley. Here I 
found gravel piled knee deep in the street. 

I signaled and shouted at the top of my voice for 


121 


WHAT A CORRESPONDENT SAW 


help. A rescue boat set out for me and took me to the 
foot of Monument avenue. I was bundled into an auto¬ 
mobile and taken two and a half miles to a relief station, 
fortunately north, in the direction I wished to go. 

There was no heat in the station and, as my clothing 
was soaked, I set out on a brisk walk toward Arcanum, 
leaving Dayton behind. 

I made inquiries along the way, but was unable to 
get any sort of conveyance. My clothing froze and gave 
me great difficulty in walking. 

I walked to Brookville, a distance of fourteen miles. 
I was nearly exhausted. I stopped for hot coffee and 
sandwiches and resumed my journey. After walking 
three miles I discovered I was on my way back to Day- 
ton. I then turned about and proceeded again toward 
Arcanum. 

I reached Dodson about 3 o’clock Thursday morn¬ 
ing. From there I took the Dayton and Union tracks. 
They were in terrible condition—washed out for hun¬ 
dreds of feet. 

After walking about three miles my steps became 
more or less automatic and, finally losing caution, I 
stepped into a washout, bruising myself and severely 
straining my knee. 

farmer’s heart softens 

I stumbled on to the first farmhouse and, being 
crippled, again sought a conveyance. The farmer, Mc- 


122 


WHAT A CORRESPONDENT SAW 


Nally, was in charge of the relief in that district v _and 
he did not wish to hamper their collecting system by 
hiring out his buggy. Finally, noting my exhausted 
condition, he agreed to take me into Arcanum on my 
agreeing to donate $10 toward the relief subscription. I 
just made connection with the train to Indianapolis. 

I reached Indianapolis at 3:10 Friday afternoon. I 
immediately inquired about trains for Chicago. An at¬ 
tendant pointed to a train leaving the station and said: 

“That’s the second train to leave here for Chicago 
since the flood.” 

I caught it by a hard sprint and arrived at Chicago 
without further incident. 


WORK OF THE RESCUERS 

One of the passengers on the first relief train from 
Toledo that succeeded in entering the stricken city of 
Dayton after a circuitous trail through flood-bound 
territory, was Mr. Clyde T. Brown, a staff representa¬ 
tive of the Chicago Daily News. The reports of his 
observations and his personal experiences, added to the 
distressing tales he heard from the lips of those who 
had lived through days and nights of horror, combine to 
make a story that needs no embellishment. 

It is a story of how a city suddenly found its paved 
streets turned into raging torrents; of how great build- 
123 



WHAT A CORRESPONDENT SAW 


ings suddenly became small helpless islands—rocks in 
the surf of a storm-ridden sea, and of how homes were 
swept away like toy houses of sand in the rising tide on 
the beach. It is also a story of gallantry and heroism 
in the work of rescue. 

Mr. Brown was aboard a relief train which was sent 
from Toledo by the New York Central railroad at 6:30 
p. m. Wednesday, less than thirty-six hours after the 
terrible torrent of the Big Miami river had broken upon 
Dayton. It ran through long stretches where every¬ 
thing except only the roadway was under water. 

The perilous trip of the relief train and his subse¬ 
quent experiences were described by Mr. Brown as 
follows: 

“We made the trip in eighteen hours, arriving at 
Dayton after considerable difficulty, shortly after noon 
Thursday. We proceeded on the train that left Toledo 
to West Liberty. This part of the journey was made in 
a roundabout way. At this point we came up to a 
washed-out bridge. 

RELAYED BY FARMERS’ WAGONS 

“A hundred or more farmers with teams stood ready. 
The train was carrying a stock of medicines, clothing 
and food, besides doctors, nurses, naval cadets, telegraph 
operators and newspaper men. The provisions were 
taken from the train and loaded into the farmers’ 
wagons. There was a haul of three and a half miles to 


124 


WHAT A CORRESPONDENT SAW 

get around the washout to the other side, where another 
train waited. We walked this distance through mud, 
water and snow. 

“In the second train we went to Xenia, thence to 
Springfield and finally to Dayton. All along we en¬ 
countered flooded conditions and at times the train made 
barely eight miles an hour. 

“At Dayton we found a frantic, despairing, half- 
starved lot of people. They were huddled together 
wherever high spots in the city afforded a place of 
refuge. The flood had receded somewhat, but the streets 
still were raging torrents in many parts of the city and 
tho water marks on the buildings showed that the flood 
at some points had been twelve feet deep. 

“The militia already had established a wall about the 
city and sightseers were barred absolutely. All along 
the route of our train persons attempted to get aboard 
to go to Dayton and it was with difficulty that they were 
kept off the coaches. At Springfield, for instance, a 
gang .of ruffians attempted to get onto the train by force 
and there was a struggle before they were repulsed. 

“Every one in Dayton had on high rubber boots. 
Travel was almost impossible except by boats. Every¬ 
where the work of rescue was being carried on. Every 
man that was able was aiding in the work. 

“In many of the large buildings there were still hun¬ 
dreds of men and women marooned and these were being 


125 


WHAT A CORRESPONDENT SAW 


taken from their places of refuge as quickly as possible. 
Throughout the residence section of the city people were 
imprisoned in their second stories and on the house tops. 
Members of the rescue party were taking food to these 
people in boats, making the rounds of the flooded homes. 

“The early horror of the catastrophe seemed to have 
passed somewhat and the people had become slightly 
hardened to the situation. They were in a nerve shattered 
condition, however, and they showed the effects of sleep¬ 
lessness and the overtaxing of mind and body. 

“New panic broke out when it was reported Thurs¬ 
day afternoon that the Lewiston reservoir had broken 
and another flood was on the way. This report proved 
to be untrue. 

“There were stories of fearful tragedies mingled with 
tales of remarkable heroism to be gained from those who 
had fought through the trying hours to save their fellow 
men. 

“The number of deaths remained a mystery. About 
eighty bodies had been recovered when I left Dayton 
Thursday night. They had been placed in temporary 
morgues. Many of the deaths were the result of suicide 
among persons who became frantic as they watched the 
death waters creep upon them. 

SAILORS SAVE 150, THEN PERISH 

“There was a remarkable story of heroism of two 
sailor lads who happened to he in Dayton when the flood 


126 


WHAT A CORRESPONDENT SAW 


broke. They gave up their lives in the work of rescue. 
Their identity was buried with them in the swirling 
waters. 

“The two sailors were in the residence section of 
West Dayton when the torrent reached there. Able at 
the oars, they quickly obtained a boat. I was told that 
they rescued at least 150 men, women and children from 
marooned residences, carrying load after load to higher 
land. 

“The waters became higher and more turbulent as 
they proceeded with their work. They started out upon 
another trip of rescue. They encountered the rapid 
current. The boat was capsized within sight of many 
of those they had saved. It was impossible to swim in 
the raging water and the two heroes went down, their 
bodies to be carried away, probably never to be found. 

“The heroes whose deeds were recounted to me were 
too numerous to list. Men struggled in the work of 
rescue until their muscles gave out and their strength 
failed. Large numbers of boats were at hand. They 
had been sent from all neighboring towns and localities. 

“Immediate rescue of those marooned in the large 
buildings in the business section of the city was impos¬ 
sible because of the swiftness of the current and this was 
not attempted until Thursday, when the waters had 
begun to recede considerably. 


127 


WHAT A CORRESPONDENT SAW 


METHOD OF RESCUE UNIQUE 

“The method of rescue was unique. The current in 
most of the streets made it unsafe to attempt to row to 
the buildings. Ropes and cables were hurled into win¬ 
dows and made fast. In many of the buildings elevator 
cables were cut and brought into use. The boatmen 
used these ropes and cables to propel their boats, making 
progress hand over hand. 

“Hunger was the chief cause of suffering among 
those who had been marooned in the office buildings, but 
plenty of food was at hand once the work of rescue 
became possible. 

“Churches, schools and all buildings on higher 
ground were turned into dormitories. Many persons 
also were taken out of Dayton to near by localities. 
Every farmer who could drive to Dayton was there 
ready to return to his home with as many of the flood 
victims as he could afford to care for and house. 

“There were many cases of individual heroism. A 
barber, Edward Price, thinking that his wife and child 
were safe in their home in Edgemont, when the flood 
first broke went into the heart of Dayton to rescue his 
parents and brothers and sisters. He procured a boat 
and after a difficult and perilous trip he found the entire 
family on the roof of their home, the water already 
lapping the second story. Alone he carried the members 
of the family to safety. In the meantime the roaring 
128 



Top Picture—Sole Survivor of a Family at Dayton. 
Bottom—When Boats Were at a Premium. 





FIGHTING THE FLOOD AT FORT WAYNE. 

Residents of Threatened Districts Worked Day and Night Building Dikes with Sand Bags to Keen Out 

the Water. y 








WHAT A CORRESPONDENT SAW 


waters had spread throughout all parts of the city and 
Edgemont was submerged. When I left Dayton he had 
not found his wife and child, for whom he had been 
searching night and day. 

KILLS WIFE AND HIMSELF 

“There were many suicides. One particularly tragic 
incident occurred in a house in Jefferson street. A man 
and wife stood at a second story window of their home 
Tuesday throughout the afternoon calling frantically 
for help. The street before the house had become a 
torrent and no one dared brave the current to get to 
the house in a boat. The water continued to crawl 
toward the two at the window. Tf the water reaches us 
I shall kill my wife and end my own life!’ the man 
shouted. He brandished a revolver. Darkness fell. Two 
shots were heard to ring out. In the morning the two 
figures were not at the window. 

“Several men who were aiding in the rescue work 
Thursday met death when a carload of carbide exploded 
near the railroad station. 

“Others, in walking about the flooded streets after 
the waters had receded somewhat, suddenly disappeared 
from view. The cause of this, it was learned, was that 
the force of the waters in the sewers had blown off the 
covers of many manholes and men were walking into 
them unawares. 


129 


WHAT A CORRESPONDENT SAW 


DEAD ANIMALS LITTER STREETS 
“Hundreds of horses and dogs were lying dead in 
the street from which the water had backed off by Thurs¬ 
day afternoon. Several hundred residences were carried 
away by the flood, but most of the wreckage had been 
carried downstream so that very little of the destruction 
in this respect was visible. Estimates as to the number 
of persons carried to their death with these houses varied 
and were entirely uncertain, 

“The actual damage done by the several fires that 
burned Thursday in the business section of the city could 
not be established, because it was impossible to get near 
enough to see. The fire was said to have started in a 
drug store. As far as I could learn no one was burned to 
death. A large number of persons, including women 
and girls, were rescued from one of the burning build¬ 
ings. 

“When I left Dayton Thursday night the water had 
left many of the streets and it was not more than four 
feet deep at any point, I should judge. None of the 
large buildings had been wrecked. Stocks were ruined, 
however, and the loss of residences was undoubtedly 
large. 

“There was little attempt at looting. The militia 
force, which had the city under perfect control in con¬ 
junction with the police, was on a strict watch for any 
such attempt.” 


130 


CHAPTER IX 

INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 

Tales of Pathos and Horror That Will Be Long 
Remembered in the Flooded Districts 

The story of what really happened during the first 
two nights and a day in Dayton after the waters broke 
loose was slowly told on Thursday the 27th by relatives 
of the supposed dead and the exhausted rescuers and 
the prostrated victims as they were brought to places 
of safety. Each fragment of the story is a tragedy in 
itself. 

There is the story of George H. Schaeffer, a rescuer, 
who went out into the flood with a skiff and saved a 
woman and baby. 

“A house that had been torn from its foundation 
came floating up behind us,” Schaeffer said. “The 
woman was frightened. I told her there was no danger. 
Suddenly she stood up and jumped over with her baby 
in her arms. She went straight down and never came 
up again.” 

Then there was the horror that “Bill” Riley, former 
clerk of the United States Court at Cincinnati and now 
a salesman for the National Cash Register Company, 
saw himself. 


131 


INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 

“We saw a very old woman standing at the window 
of a house waiting for rescue,” said Riley. “We rowed 
up to it. Suddenly the house parted and the woman 
in it was engulfed. That was the last we saw of her.” 

FLOATS AWAY IN HOME 

Then there was the man who, nearly rescued, had 
stepped into the skiff and then walked back into his 
home which a short time later floated away with him. 

And the story of the negro mother who was being 
rowed to safety with her two babies, when the skiff 
struck a tree and the little craft capsized. The babies 
were drowned. The mother was rescued by Robert 
Burnham, the owner of the skiff, only to die before she 
reached the hospital. 

ESCAPED ON A WIRE BRIDGE 

John Scott, an employe of the National Register 
Company, who came recently from Butte, Mont., as¬ 
cended a telegraph pole and guided across the cable to 
places of safety, men, women and children rescued from 
flooded houses. It w r ould not have seemed real if pre¬ 
sented in a melodrama, this method of bridging a flood, 
but here was done in the presence of hundreds who stood 
at safe spots appalled by the imminence of danger. 

Scott had guided a dozen persons across the sway¬ 
ing bridge of wires when the explosion that started the 
fire occurred and the shock knocked Scott from the pole 
and he fell into a tree. 


132 


INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 


“The last I saw of him he was trying to get into the 
window of the abandoned house by way of one of the 
branches of the tree,” said Frank Stevens, a fellow em¬ 
ploye of Scott. “The house was in the path of the fire.” 

One woman had been marooned on top of a moving 
van in the middle of the roadway since 10 o’clock Tues¬ 
day morning. She and two men were attempting to 
cross the flood in the moving van when the vehicle tipped. 
One of the men was thrown out and drowned, the other 
got on the horse and, although swept away, is thought 
to have reached safety. 

GIRL IN MAN'S CLOTHES 

“What is your name?” asked the registrar who re¬ 
ceived refugees at the National Cash Register plant, 
of a slender person in men’s clothing. 

“Norma Thuma,” was the reply. 

“Norma?” he asked. 

“Yes, I’m a girl,” was the answer. She had put on 
man’s clothes in order to cross the perilous span of wires, 
unhampered by skirts. 

Norma reached safety with Ralph Myers, his wife 
and their little baby. Myers had climbed the pole first. 
He let down a rope to his wife, who tied to it a meal 
sack which contained their baby, three months old. 
Myers pulled the rope with its precious burden up and 
then let it down again to aid his wife to ascend. With 
the meal sack over his shoulder and his wife behind him, 


133 


INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 


Myers, holding onto two thin wires, walked across the 
cable a full block before he reached safety. 

FINDS LOST HUSBAND 

There was brought from the flood on Wednesday 
Mrs. James Cassidy and her three children. Mrs. Cas¬ 
sidy was grief-stricken over the report of the death of 
her husband by drowning. Even as she was being reg¬ 
istered there was brought into headquarters a man who 
had to be held up and who was very wet. 

“Jim!” shrieked the woman. “That’s you—it’s you 
—you aren’t dead! Say you aren’t dead!” 

Jim had been rescued from drowning. His return 
was the one bit of joy in the awful gloom at the rescue 
headquarters, where gathered the victims of flood, fire 
and famine. 

A woman, maddened by the sorrows of the day, 
fought with Bill Riley and his companion, Charles Wag¬ 
ner, who had rescued her in a boat. She bit Riley in 
the hand and choked Wagner, who sought to restrain 
her. The little boat swayed and was on the point of 
capsizing when the woman suddenly became calm and 
began to pray. 

REMEMBERED HER FRIEND 

A woman with three children, marooned in the upper 
floor of her home on the edge of the business district, 
called to the oarsmen: 


134 


INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 


“Oh, I know you can’t take me off,” she cried, “but 
please take this loaf of bread and jug of molasses to 
Sarah Pruyn down the street; I know she’s starving.” 

Twice the boatmen attempted to take the food, but 
waves that eddied about the submerged house hurled 
them back. 

Further on, in the exclusive residence district, they 
were offered fabulous sums for rescue by many of the 
flood’s prisoners. Their narrative inspired an effort to 
launch a boat for navigating the vast river, but up to a 
late hour Wednesday the craft was unable to pass 
beyond areas already reached on the fringe of the flooded 
district. 

BURNING STABLE SPREADS FIRE 

A. J. Saettle, owner of the house in which fire 
started after a gas explosion, was reported to have been 
blown into the air and killed instantly. Mrs. Shunk, 
a neighbor, was blown out of her home into the flood, 
and, after clinging to a telegraph pole for half an hour, 
finally succumbed and was sucked away under the 
waters, according to a report received at rescue head¬ 
quarters. 

The explosion blew a stable filled with hay into the 
middle of the flooded street and this carried the flames 
to the opposite side of the street. 

The next house to burn was Harry Lindsay’s, then 
Mary Creidler’s and then the home of Theodore C. 

135 


INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 


Lindsay. Houses that had been carried away from their 
foundations floated into the flames and soon were a 
bonfire. The flames burned without restraint, because 
engines could not get near enough to stop them. 

The search for the dead did not begin until all the 
living had been helped. The most heartrending feature 
of the situation was the pitiable terror of the women 
and children. 

Many of them sat up and sobbed through the night, 
refusing to believe that their fathers and husbands were 
safe, and husbands and fathers who missed wives and 
children cried their grief in the nerve-shaking way that 
men have of voicing sorrow. 

WIFE LEAPS TO DEATH 

A graphic story of the harrowing scenes in the 
flooded Dayton district was told at Indianapolis, March 
27, by Martin Ellis, a refugee from Dayton. 

He told of being caught in the flood while he and 
his wife were in the Hotel Algonquin and of jumping 
from a second-story window to the roof of a house float¬ 
ing by. 

Later, his wife, made insane by the scenes she wit¬ 
nessed and the thoughts of her four little children left 
at home in the flood-swept district, jumped from the 
roof into the flood and was swept away. 

Ellis was in a terrible state when he reached safety. 

136 


INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 


Exposure and loss of his family had placed him in a 
pitiful condition and he was taken to St. Vincent’s Hos¬ 
pital, where he later died. 

His story, as taken down by a stenographer in the 
hospital, follows: 

“At 8:50 Tuesday morning the levee broke. I think 
it was the Lewiston reservoir. The water swept the 
town and was halted on the northeast by the levee. The 
water then traveled in a sheet to the east, passing over 
the city. A panic followed. People ran to the tops of 
buildings and were brushed off like flies. The water 
kept rising. My wife and I jumped on top of a small 
house that was rushing past us. 

“We were in a second-story window of the Algon¬ 
quin Hotel. The flood carried us south. We passed 
bodies. There were some live people, too. We were 
stopped two miles from the city. 

“We stayed on the house all day. At night fires 
started. The parts of the houses above the water burned 
up. There were people who had taken refuge in the 
attics of their homes. These must have been killed. My 
four children were home. We lived on North Main 
street. We saw the top of our house burn. 

“In the middle of the night we heard explosions. 
My wife couldn’t stand it. She jumped off the house 
we were on. The flood took her away. Then the house 
I was on alone started to drift again. It kept on. 

137 


INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 


HEARD THE PEOPLE CRYING 

“I don’t remember what happened for a number of 
hours. I found myself on the west side of the flood. 
Dayton was burning and they were blowing up build¬ 
ings. I heard the people crying above the roar of the 
flood and the explosions. I kept on going, and then a 
train picked me up.” 

Later he became incoherent. “I’m going home— 
I’m going home. Let me go home. Oh, God,” he 
shouted, and Ellis went “home” to his wife and his four 
children, who died in the fire.and flood at Dayton. 

GIRL RIDES SWIMMING HORSE 

While the survivors were being cared for the pathos 
of the flood came to light in stories told by many. Occa¬ 
sionally the tragedy was made the more dramatic 
through contrast with an incident full of humor and 
romance. 

Of the thousands of remarkable escapes th^-expe- 
rience of Miss Flossie Lester, a stenographer, who was 
marooned on an overturned moving van in Edgemont, a 
suburb of Dayton, was considered one of the oddest. 
With several men, Miss Lester mounted on a passing 
van when the flood came. The van was soon overturned 
and the party thrown into the icy water. 

The horses that had been hauling the van broke loose 
and separated,^swimming for their lives. One of them 
passed close to Miss Lester, who grasped a dangling 


138 


INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 

strap and succeeded in climbing astride the animal’s 
back. 

For more than a mile and a half Miss Lester clung 
with her arms about the horse’s neck until it reached a 
high approach of the levee near a farmhouse. Here 
Miss Lester fell unconscious to the ground. She was 
taken in by the farmer’s family. The horse was taken 
to the barn. 

Miss Lester told rescuers that she would buy the 
horse if its owner could be found. 

LIVE LONG ON GRAPEFRUIT 

Mrs. Clinton Wallace and her three children, at 3 
Zinck avenue, Dayton, had an experience of another 
kind. They were marooned without food until rescued 
Friday night. They subsisted on grapefruit, a box of 
which they caught as it floated up to the window. 

FOUND SISTER ON A ROOF 

C. H. Pfeffer, treasurer, and C. D. Gutlip, division 
superintendent of a Detroit automobile company, who 
hurried as best they could through the flooded districts 
from the Michigan metropolis to Dayton to rescue 
Pfeifer’s sister, found her Friday. She and another 
woman, both with babies in arms, were discovered on the 
roof of the former’s home in Piverdale, their feet resting 
on the eaves-trough. 

There was seven feet of water in Piverdale, Mr. 
Pfeffer said, and 300 or 400 persons were marooned in 


139 


INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 


second stories. He offered to take a boat load from one 
house, but as there was not room for every one none 
would leave their perches. 

ELEPHANTS DROWN 

There were eight elephants among Peru’s victims of 
the overflowing waters. The elephants were a part of 
the Wallaee-Hagenbeck menagerie, which has winter 
quarters two miles outside of Peru. Their keepers 
feared to free them, and chained to the ground the big 
beasts drowned. 

SAVES FORMER ENEMY 

In Logansport, Michael Fansler, prosecuting attor¬ 
ney, was prominent among the leaders of the rescue 
work and incidentally figured, almost at the cost of his 
life, in the most dramatic incident of the flood. He 
and John Johnson, the postmaster, were in a boat with 
two women, each of whom had a baby in her arms. The 
boat capsized in six feet of water. 

The prosecutor grabbed one of the women and her 
babe and caught a protruding telephone pole. From 

-this position the prosecutor was rescued by a man whom 

he had tried only a few months before to put into the 
penitentiary. 

Fansler’s rescuer was enabled to assist him by the 
aid of a rope which his wife was holding from the sec¬ 
ond-story window of their home near by. The post¬ 
master was saved by the sensational effort of a Chicago 

140 


INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 


traveling man, D. L. McClure, who dived from the 
second floor of the Barnett hotel. 

NARROWLY ESCAPE DEATH 

During the worst day of the flood at Logansport 
some one sent broadcast a report that the Celina dam 
had broken. 

“Run for your lives,” was the message which flashed 
across the roofs. Bells and whistles were sounded in 
alarm. There were instances where the alarmed actually 
jumped into the torrents which circled their homes and 
would have drowned but for the patrolling boats. 

REFUSED A RESCUE—DEAD! 

Simultaneously with the identification of three flood 
victims, an aged woman and a married couple, at Colum¬ 
bus, came the story of how Wilber Morris, living at 361 
Glenwood avenue, first fled from the onsweeping waters 
to the hilltop, then waded back waist deep, through the 
swift current and unsuccessfully begged Mr. and Mrs. 
Walter C. Howard and Miss Cordelia A. Carrager, 
aged seventy-four, to desert their home. They stoutly 
insisted that they were provisioned for a siege and that 
they were not afraid. All three met death. 

OLD MAN FOUND INSANE 

Semi-conscious, his name beyond the pale of memory, 
an old man, aged seventy years, was found dying from 
illness and exposure in a house on the flood-afflicted 


INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 

West Side at Columbus. No one was found who could 
identify him and he was taken to an insane asylum. 

SWEPT FROM THEIR ROOFS 

Eyewitnesses at Columbus told of having stood in 
their homes on the West Side and watched many persons 
fall into the raging torrents as their heads hit against 
the lone rail left in position, while the roofs of houses 
upon which they were floating passed through a break 
in the high embankment of the Baltimore & Ohio tracks. 
Some of the houses in passing through the large opening 
were dashed to pieces. 

couldn't eat the drugs 

Fifty-two persons were taken out of a West Side 
drugstore at Columbus, where they had been marooned 
four days. Their supplies had given out and they were 
suffering from hunger. 

SAVED THE FAMILY COW 

Here’s the prize story of how one family prepared 
against starvation when the flood came up. It comes 
from the home of George Roller, 79 Dakota avenue, in 
the heart of the flooded West Side at Columbus. When 
they saw the flood coming they persuaded the family cow 
to enter the kitchen and ushered her upstairs, where 
they gave her a private room. They also laid in a supply 
of corn and hay. Result: Plenty of fresh milk and 
some to spare to the neighbors. Another family took 

142 


INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 


their chickens into the house and not only saved the 
chickens but had plenty of fresh eggs. 

REVIVED IN A MORGUE 

Taken from a tree and supposed to be dead, C. A. 
Turney of 3 55 Glenwood avenue, Columbus, was re¬ 
moved to the temporary morgue at Greenlawn cemetery, 
to await identification. A small boy standing by thought 
he detected a slight motion in Turney’s body and called 
the doctor’s attention to it. Restoratives were quickly 
applied and after heroic work, Turney was returned to 
consciousness and taken to the home of friends. 

SAVEB BY YOUNG SAILORS 

More than a score of persons were rescued from 
perilous positions in treetops and on the roofs of houses 
in the flooded district between Logansport and Peru by 
men from the United States naval training station at 
Chicago, Ill., according to advices received by Cap¬ 
tain G. R. Clark, commander at the station, from the 
Logansport relief committee. 

The naval station men left early Thursday, March 
28, in command of Lieutenant John J. London, for the 
stricken Indiana cities. There were fifty of the recruits 
and they took with them six boats provisioned for a 
cruise of six or eight days. Their special train was 
given the right of way direct to Logansport, this part 
of the programme being arranged by the Chicago Asso¬ 
ciation of Commerce. 


143 


INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 


When the recruits arrived at Logansport their boats 
were at once placed in the flood waters and the men 
began their work. They carried aid to many flood- 
marooned persons lacking food and conveyed others in 
more dangerous positions to places of safety. 

FIREMEN FORCED TO FLY 

A story of the break of the levee at Dayton and the 
onrush of the waters was told by Edy Vicent, a member 
of the fire department No. 2. The fire house is located 
within a few doors of Taylor street, where the first break 
occurred. 

The department watchers, fearing being flood- 
bound, sounded the fire call simultaneously with the 
break in the water wall. 

“When the horses, which were hitched in record 
time, reached the street,” he said, “we were met by a 
wall of water which must have been ten feet high. The 
driver was forced to turn and flee in the opposite direc¬ 
tion to save the team and the apparatus.” 

A MILLION RATIONS SENT BY U. S. 

Supplies ordered March 26 by the Secretary of War 
to be rushed to the scenes of the flood disasters in Ohio, 
Indiana and Nebraska included the following items: 

To Columbus, O.: One million rations, each ration 
being a day’s supply for one person; twenty thousand 
cots; four thousand tents; thirty thousand blankets; one 
hundred hospital tents; four hundred stoves; five thou- 
144 



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INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 


sand cans of milk for the younger children;-five hun¬ 
dred boxes of reserved dressing; ten thousand vaccine 
points; five thousand anti-typhoid vaccine units. 

For Omaha, Neb.: Four hundred hospital tents; 
one thousand blankets. 

JACOB RIIS DELAYED 

“The worst damage I saw was at Elkhart, Ind.,” 
said Jacob Riis of New York, who was to have spoken 
at Orchestra Hall, Chicago, on March 25, but who 
arrived in Chicago a day too late. “We got as far west 
as Columbus and there were delayed because of weak- 


onetCase out of fifty’thousand i 



145 







INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 

ened bridges. When it became known that they could 
not be repaired we were re-routed to Cleveland and 
there took the Lake Shore. I did not see much water 
until we got to Elkhart. There a portion of the poorer 
residence district was inundated and many houses 
wrecked. ISTo lives were lost so far as I know. When 
I knew that I could not keep my engagement in Chi¬ 
cago I tried to send a telegram telling of the delay, but 
wires were down.” 

THE SWITCHBOARD HEROINE 

For every Jack Binns afloat there is a telephone 
heroine ashore, said the Boston, Mass., Journal on 
March 27. She stays at her post sending warnings 
throbbing over her wires, while fire cuts her off from 
the avenues of escape through which others have hur¬ 
ried, and she keeps plugging in calls until floods racing 
down upon her break her connections with the outside 
world. Several times in late years the tale written by 
Elizabeth Stuart Phelps has been duplicated in actual 
life. The latest case of vigil and devotion at the 
switchboard comes from the Miami valley. The girls 
who kept their wires humming while the waters surged 
down upon them and who flashed the last tidings out 
of stricken Dayton did as brave a thing as ever does 
the cavalryman who gallops into the midst of enemies 
with 600 others riding with him, knee to knee. 


146 


INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 


RECOVERED ALL HIS FAMILY 

With the rapid subsiding of the flood waters and 
dissipating of panic among refugees at Dayton, thrilling 
adventures continued coming to light. Among the most 
interesting of these were the experiences of the family 
of Charles M. Adams in Riverdale. When the flood 
first rushed through that section of the city Mr. Adams 
got his wife and iO-month-oId twin girls into a skiff 
and took them to the home of a friend in Warder street. 

An hour later it was again necessary to move and 
the family was taken by rescuers out of a second-story 
window. The canoe in which they were being trans¬ 
ported was dashed against a telegraph pole by the ter¬ 
rific current and capsized. Adams swam bravely in 
the icy water for a few minutes when he was picked 
up by some men in a flat boat. 

Just before he was rescued he saw his wife sink for 
the third time. The baby girls were floating down the 
street. Then he collapsed. Three hours later he re¬ 
gained consciousness to find himself in an attic and 
beside him on the floor lay his wife, whom he believed 
to have been drowned. A few minutes later a man 
crawled into the attic window from the floating roof of 
a barn, bringing with him the twins. They had caught 
in the branches of a tree and were picked off unhurt 
by the man, who was riding to safety on the roof. Mrs. 
Adams was rescued by a high school boy on a hastily 

147 


INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 


improvised raft. The lad was a member of the River- 
dale troop of the boy scouts and had been trained how 
to administer first aid to the drowning. 

ONE FAMILY OF SIX IN MORGUE 

A family named Porter, six in number, lay in the 
Riverdale morgue on Sunday, March 30. They left 
their home on the outskirts of the city when warning 
of the flood was brought there. They were overwhelmed 
and drowned on the road, while the flood missed the 
home they had deserted. 

Harold Ridgley, a popular young man of Riverdale, 
lost his own life after saving thirteen families. In seek¬ 
ing to recover a lost oar his frail skiff tipped too much 
and sank. 

At the Van Cleve school building in Riverdale there 
was a $10,000 cook engaged in the inartistic task of 
making bean soup, coffee and sandwiches and super¬ 
intending the distribution of the same. He is the chef 
of the leading hotel of Dayton, and composes menus of 
tempting savor with French names attached, or did 
before the deluge. The flood carried away his home 
and for several days he presided over soup and sand¬ 
wiches with dignity unimpaired. 

SEE HOUSE DASHED TO PIECES 

Survivors recalled that shortly before noon Tues¬ 
day watchers on the hills of Dayton View, a fashionable 


148 


INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 

residence section of the city, saw a frame house float 
from its foundations above the Dayton View bridge 
across the Miami. Just before the structure reached 
the bridge a door opened and a man was seen to look 
out, shading his eyes with his hand. Beside him stood 
a woman and behind them in the room of the cottage 
appeared another woman >vith a baby in her arms. The 
watchers shouted warnings to the man to jump into 
the river and take a chance of being rescued. Their 
cries evidently were unheard. ’The man closed the door. 
A moment later the cottage crashed into a concrete 
pier of the bridge and was broken into bits. Nothing 
was ever seen again of the occupants. 

SEALSKIN COAT SENT BY MISTAKE 

An amusing incident in connection with the receipt 
of relief supplies was a dispatch from Dr. McGrudder 
of Baltimore, addressed to General Devine of the Amer¬ 
ican Bed Cross at Washington, and by him forwarded 
to Dayton, in which it was said that among the contri¬ 
butions of clothing from the Maryland city was a 
woman’s sealskin coat, valued at $1,000, which the 
owner’s maid had included by mistake. The coat has 
not been found. 

GOOD WORK BY FARMERS 

Among the largest contributors to the city’s needs 
at a time when food was most precious were the hun¬ 
dreds of farmers near Dayton, who went to the out- 


149 


INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 

skirts of the city every day after the flood broke with 
wagon loads of milk, eggs, potatoes and other vegeta¬ 
bles. It was due to this that the mortality among in¬ 
fants dependent entirely upon milk for sustenance was 
not large. 

BRINGS HER SNOW SHOVEL 

John Stone, 78 Victor street, was one of the large 
number of volunteer life savers in Riverdale. He res¬ 
cued a woman from the second-story window of a house 
in Linwood street who insisted in bringing with her a 
snow shovel. Clutching the shovel to her breast, she 
sat in the stern sheets of Stone’s boat, alternately singing 
a hymn and laughing hysterically. In attempting to 
round a street corner where a torrent poured in from a 
cross street, the boat struck an electric light pole and 
Stone lost the paddle with which he was propelling his 
craft. 

“God told me!” shouted the woman, a Mrs. Clemens. 
“He told me. Now use the shovel.” 

Stone managed to paddle his boat with the shovel 
to a place of safety. 

MILLIONAIRE IN BREAD LINE 

It is said that in the bread line at. Dayton was 
Eugene J. Barney, a millionaire, whose gifts to charity 
have been very large and recently included $25,000 to 
the Y. M. C. A. of Dayton. He obtained three loaves 
of bread and a small sack of potatoes. 


150 


INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 


HEROIC WORK OF PHONE MEN 

Two employes of the American Telegraph and Tele¬ 
phone Company, M. B. Stohl, wire chief at Dayton, 
and C. D. Williamson, wire chief at Phoneton, by almost 
unprecedented devotion to duty kept Dayton in touch 
with the outside world. 

At noon Wednesday they had been on duty for 
thirty-six hours, and, although there were no prospects 
of their being relieved, they gave not the slightest in¬ 
dications of an inclination to leave their posts. 

Mr. Stohl reached the Dayton office just before the 
flood broke in the small hours of Tuesday morning. 
The water came wi-th such suddenness that all batteries 
and power were put out of commission before any 
measures could be taken to protect them. This left the 
wires without current and effectually cut off Dayton 
from the outside world. 

WORKS WITH A “TEST SET" 

Stohl rummaged around and found a lineman’s “test 
set.” With this he made his way to the roof of the build¬ 
ing, “cut in” on the line to Phoneton and reported to 
Williamson, whose batteries were still in condition. 
Over this meager equipment messages were exchanged 
by means of the underground wires of the company, 
which held up until after the noon hour March 26, be¬ 
fore the cable in which they were incased gave way. The 
151 


INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 


break, however, was south of Dayton and Phoneton w r as 
still in touch with the flood stricken city. 

RAILROADS LOSE $50,000,000 

The national calamity—as President Wilson termed 
the tragedy of the deluge—probably cost the railways 
traversing the flooded states $50,000,000, according to 
“Boersianer,” financial editor of the Chicago Examiner. 
This estimate includes contingent as well as capital loss; 
damage to perishable freight; the expense of increased 
crews, of widely circuitous detours; of abandoned and 
delayed traffic; of congestions; of restoration; of recon¬ 
struction and of replacements. 

The heaviest blow falls on the Baltimore & Ohio 
through the Cincinnati, Hamilton &; Dayton Railway. 
The former virtually controls the latter. It guarantees 
the Dayton’s fixed charges. Dayton, Hamilton, Piqua, 
Lima, Miamisburg—almost all the inundated towns and 
cities are on the C., H. & D., which has a mileage of 
1,000 miles, and of which the greater part was under 
water. 


MESSAGES FROM RULERS 

King George of England cabled to President 
Wilson April 1, 1913, as follows: 

“I am greatly distressed at the news of the disas¬ 
trous floods and the grievous loss of life caused by 
them. I desire to express to your excellency my 

152 



INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD 


deepest sympathy with yourself and the people of the 
United States in your misfortune.” 

President Wilson replied: 

"Allow me, in the name of the people and govern¬ 
ment of the United States, to express deep apprecia¬ 
tion of your majesty’s kind message of condolence.” 

CABLE FROM KING OF ITALY 

King Victor Emmanuel of Italy cabled: 

"On hearing the news of the floods that have devas¬ 
tated prosperous regions and made so many victims, I 
beg you to believe in the sentiment of sincere and 
deep sympathy with which I join in your country’s 
mourning.” 

President Wilson responded: 

"Your majesty’s touching words of sympathy in 
the terrible loss of life and property which has befallen 
many American homes are a real solace to the govern¬ 
ment and people of the United States.” 

Other reigning sovereigns also cabled their sym¬ 
pathy with the flood sufferers. 


153 . 


DEAD IN THE FLOOD 


On March 30 the latest reports showed the follow¬ 
ing deaths from the floods in Ohio and Indiana: 


OHIO 

Dayton .150 

Columbus . 64 

Hamilton (estimated) 50 
Miamisburg (est’d) .. 50 

Tiffin . 18 

Chillicothe . 18 

Middletown . 14 

Fremont . 14 

Piqua . 13 

Harrison. 12 

Troy . 9 

Valley Jet. 6 

Zanesville .«. 10 

Massillon . 5 

New Bethlehem. 2 

Cleves . 2 


Ohio total.437 


INDIANA 

Peru., 20 

Brookville. 16 

Fort Wayne. 6 

Terre Haute. 4 

Washington . 4 

Frankfort . 2 

Logansport. 1 

Bushville. 1 

Muncie . 1 

Lafayette . 1 

New Castle.. 1 

East Mt. Carmel. ... 1 

Shelburn . 1 


Indiana total. 59 

Grand total.. 496 


No less than 175,000 people were rendered home¬ 
less in the state of Ohio and the total property loss 
and damage in that state was officially estimated, April 
1, at $300,000,000. 


154 

































CHAPTER X 


THE FLOOD AT COLUMBUS 

Imagine yourself at the top of a perfectly safe sky¬ 
scraper looking over ninety square miles of water punc¬ 
tured by thousands of homes—15,000 or 20,000, at least 
—swirling water carrying them away one by one, or 
sometimes literally in swarms, and you will have some 
conception of what we saw in Columbus Tuesday and 
Wednesday, March 25 and 26, said Glenn Marston, a 
correspondent of the Chicago Journal, who was at 
Columbus, Ohio, at the height of the flood there. 
Bridges crashed at our feet—a new one every hour. 

With our field glasses we could see thousands of 
people on roofs and in windows as effectively cut off 
from the world as they would have been in the moon. 

They were absolutely helpless. So were we. No 
boat could live a moment in the rushing current, which 
took houses, bridges, railway tracks, telegraph poles— 
everything—in its overwhelming sweep. 

There were 50,000 people living in this area the day 
before. The refugees reporting to the city hall num¬ 
bered about 1,500. There were supposed to be about 

155 


THE FLOOD AT COLUMBUS 


5,000 on a hilltop on the west edge of the city. The 
rest were still clinging to housetops, trees and poles in 
the isolated area. 

To add to the horrors of Tuesday, fire broke out in 
half a dozen places. Nothing but the water-soaked roofs 
saved the district. Some of the burning houses w r ere in 
water to the second story, and so the flames, while de¬ 
structive enough where they started, could not spread 
far. The fire department was helpless. There were bil¬ 
lions of gallons of water and not a drop which could be 
used. Many of the fires could not be approached closely 
enough to determine their exact location. 

Meanwhile people were fleeing to the city hall—those 
lucky enough to get away. I led one poor soul, clad in 
a calico wrapper, with a 5-year-old boy held by one hand 
and a babe in the other. She knew nothing of her hus¬ 
band and nobody could help her. 

Considering the conditions, the efficiency of the relief 
work was astounding. Every refugee was told to report 
to the city hall. Here the name was entered on a blue 
card, which also contained the home address, the names 
of the relatives for whom the refugee was looking, the 
address to which the refugee was sent, and the amount 
of clothing and number of meal tickets allotted. The 
search for missing ones was greatly simplified by the 
cross indexing of the names. 

But still there were thousands marooned on the West 


156 


THE FLOOD AT COLUMBUS 

Side. The bridges were all out but one. The prisoners in 
the workhouse had to be removed. The penitentiary was 
six to ten feet under water. New fires were breaking 
out, not dangerous, as it turned out, but enough to com¬ 
pletely upset already overwrought nerves. 

SEES WHOLE LEVEE WASHED AWAY 

As I stood in my skyscraper window, I saw the levee 
which protected the entire West Side suddenly melt into 
the river. I saw a dozen men, linemen from the tele¬ 
graph companies, apparently, struggle to keep the poles 
up. It was hopeless. As I was looking, the poles began 
to drop. 

One struck a group of linemen, the connecting wires 
felling them in all directions. One went into the water. 
He was not seen afterward. 

The great Pennsylvania four-track right of way, 
part of the finest roadbed in America, melted away like 
salt. The tracks on the west side of Columbus look like 
a handful of tangled string thrown into a puddle. 

Then came the panic. Wednesday afternoon the 
word started somewhere that the great fifty-foot-high 
storage dam five miles up the Scioto had given way. If 
it was so 25 billion cubic feet of water was coming. A 
half-crazy negro rushed into the Chittenden hotel and 
shouted, “The dam’s out! Everybody get on high 
ground!” 


157 


THE FLOOD AT COLUMBUS 


FIGHT TO REACH CAPITOL DOME 

People went crazy. In three seconds the lobby was 
cleared of its 150 occupants. Three minutes after the 
alarm, there were 6,000 people in the statehouse, most 
of them struggling for the dome. Of all places! 

But the dam had not gone out. It was hours, how¬ 
ever, before things were back to the normal abnormality 
of relieving the refugees and rescuing those imprisoned. 
The panic had even reached the boatmen who had just 
begun to venture among the wrecked houses. 

The city was without trains, without telegraph, with¬ 
out telephone service, without lights or street cars and 
without water. The city light plant will leave the streets 
in darkness for weeks. The first to recover from the 
disaster was the Railway and Light company. It had 
lights burning again in fifteen minutes, though all users 
were requested to economize in using electricity. 
Twenty cars were running two hours later. 

Those who could afford mineral waters could drink 
in safety. Those who could not had to go thirsty or take 
chances of infection from any kind of disease. There 
were three or four elevators working, none in the hotels. 

HOW LIVES WERE LOST 

Half the houses on the West Side have toppled over 
or been carried away completely. Nearly all of these 
contained people who tried to swim to other houses. 

It must be that many could not swim, and that many 
158 


THE FLOOD AT COLUMBUS 


who could swim were swept under by the current. One 
could Only get an idea of the strength of that raging 
flood when the great bridges, weighing hundreds of 
thousands of pounds, floated down stream hundreds of 
feet before sinking out of sight. Imagine trying to 
swim! Imagine trying to row a park skiff! 

It was on Thursday that the boats began to pick 
up bodies. Boats which had carried these same people 
on pleasure jaunts last summer had been turned into 
funeral craft. A head which had lain on soft cushions 
and looked up into some loved one’s face, now lay stark 
and staring, uncushioned, bound for the undertaker. A 
ghastly work for picnic boats! 

DESPERATE EFFORTS TO FIGHT FIRE 

There was an attempt made to fight one fire. The 
firemen crossed the Broad street bridge, carrying their 
hose with them; then they had to thread their way along 
the eighteen-inch core wall of the levee, which had not 
gone out at this point. By stringing two blocks of hose 
they were ^ble to reach the fire. 

Every man who crossed that bridge took his life in 
his hands. Every man who stepped on that core wall 
knew that his weight might be enough to make it give 
away and send him and his companions to eternity. 

Ten feet from the end of the bridge a group of five- 
story buildings had toppled over into the current a half 
hour before. After an hour’s weary work the hose was 

159 


THE FLOOD AT COLUMBUS 


stretched and a stream of water came from the nozzle. 
It lasted a few seconds and then died to nothing. That 
was the moment when the water had put out the last 
fire in the boiler room of the water works. 

Of course the railroads were in a terrible state. At 
the Union station there were dozens of through trains 
which could neither go forward nor backward. The 
passengers were all united in praising the companies for 
the treatment they received. Every passenger was 
fed and all berths in every Pullman car were made up 
each night. For those who could not sleep in the cars, 
the railroads provided other quarters without expense to 
the passengers. 

The train I took was the first one to Chicago. We 
got in 71% hours late. In order to get this train, we 
had to be transferred from the city to the prairie far out¬ 
side of the city. It was a drive of several miles. There, 
out in the open, lay a train. The locomotive had to run 
backward for some time, and meanwhile the passengers 
had to wrap up in overcoats and stamp around to keep 
warm, for there was no steam, and the thermometer was 
hovering around the freezing point. 

LAST BRIDGE GOES DOWN 

We had, in order to get to this train, which was on 
the west side of the river, to cross a bridge at Fifth av¬ 
enue, the only bridge left standing by which most of the 
West Side could be reached. As we pulled out there 


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Top Picture—Snow Follows Flood at Dayton. 
Bottom—Dayton Refugees Awaiting Transportation. 









THE FLOOD AT COLUMBUS 


was a constant stream of wagons going across, carrying 
food and clothing to the sufferers. But when I reached 
Toledo, I read that this bridge, the last link between the 
sufferers and the safe part of the city, had gone out. 
We were lucky to get away when we did, and luckier 
still that the bridge did not go down when we were on it. 

All morning, relief wagons and automobiles had been 
rushed across at top speed. The bridge began to show 
weakness then, and soldiers were stationed at each end. 
They cut down all vehicles to a walking pace and allowed 
only two at a time to cross. Apparently even this light 
load was sufficient to jar the supports of the bridge until 
it tired of its work and sank to rest with its companions 
in the bed of the river. 

The district that was most damaged is called the 
“old river bed,” because of a belief that the river once 
flowed over a mile west of where the channel now is. 
This area had thirty to forty feet of water over it in some 
places. Two-story houses floated down as if they were 
chips. 

West Broad street, the main east and west thorough¬ 
fare, was a scene of heartrending desolation. Far out 
stood a half submerged street car which was abandoned 
by its crew when the levee broke. In places the street 
was completely filled with floating houses and wreckage. 

Nobody can even guess the loss. To say “millions” 
gives no conception of the ravages of the water. A large 

161 


THE FLOOD AT COLUMBUS 


part of the prosperous wholesale district was on the 
West Side. Of each industry iHs probably safe to say 
that the loss is “millions.” Certainly the railroad losses 
will be that, as will the losses of the light and street car 
company. The ice and cold storage company lost its 
plant and over $100,000 worth of foodstuffs. Hundreds 
of houses, worth anywhere from $1,000 up, are gone— 
completely. Other hundreds are standing and worthless. 
Others can be repaired. 

I have seen fires, floods and avalanches before, hut 
nothing to compare with this. There is nothing in one’s 
imagination to compare to such a disaster. One must go 
through it. There was a hotel full of people without any 
conveniences whatever—back to the primitive—and yet 
there was never a murmur of discontent—the sights and 
sounds across the river so dwarfed our petty incon¬ 
veniences that we forgot them—considered ourselves 
lucky to be alive. We at least had a roof and good food, 
even though there was five feet of water in the basement. 

One bright spot in the gloom of Columbus was the 
action of the Chicago Association of Commerce. Even 
before the Columbus council had met to appropriate 
money, before the legislature had voted a penny, there 
came the magnificent offer of the Association of Com¬ 
merce with its $100,000 fund for the relief of the suffer¬ 
ing. 


162 


CHAPTER XI 


THE FLOOD AT PIQUA 

The rising waters at Piqua, Ohio, situated on the 
Miami north of Dayton, were at first believed to have 
engulfed many victims, the early reports stating that 
the death list would reach at least 200. But scores 
of sensational rescues from what seemed certain death 
in the raging flood torrents served to limit the fatality 
list, which was finally placed at twenty or thereabouts. 
Many houses were wrecked and for several days the 
homeless suffered severely. 

Relief measures were promptly taken by the city 
authorities. The property loss was great, as most of 
the manufacturing plants were destroyed. A company 
of the National Guard assisted in maintaining order in 
Piqua and caring for the destitute. 

Two hundred and fifty houses were found in ruins 
and at least 2,500 persons homeless. The residence 
district, known as East Piqua, was devastated. Many 
living there trusted to the high levee, which was be¬ 
lieved unbreakable, and remained in their homes until 
too late to flee. 


163 


THE FLOOD AT PIQUA 


The only direct means of communication with the 
rest of the state for some time was through Bradford, 
to which a light engine, borrowed from a Pennsylvania 
relief train, made almost hourly trips on Friday, 
March 28. 

Hundreds of citizens enrolled by the Y. M. C. A. 
and Business Men’s Association were sworn in as spe¬ 
cial deputies and assisted in caring for the sufferers. 
The Y. M. C. A., the city hospital and other build¬ 
ings housed numbers of refugees. 

Shawnee, across the river from Piqua, virtually was 
washed away. More than twenty houses were de¬ 
stroyed there. 

W. W. Wood, in charge of the relief work of the 
Citizens’ League, in a summary of conditions formu¬ 
lated after a thorough search of the inundated section 
of the city, declared that between 1,200 and 1,500 per¬ 
sons had been taken out of perilous places to safety and 
that twenty bodies were all that could be found. 

RESCUERS FACE PERIL 

Many of the rescues were made at hazardous risks 
of the heroic life-savers, men, women and children 
being taken from flood-tossed roofs, crumbling houses, 
tree tops and floating debris. 

The water supply and lighting plant were restored 
to service on March 29 and three carloads of provisions 
for the stricken inhabitants had been received from 


164 


THE FLOOD AT PIQUA 

Union City and Winchester. More provisions were 
necessary, however, before conditions were restored so 
that Piqua could take care of its own. 

Though the authorities were overjoyed that their 
fears of a death list reaching into the hundreds were 
unfounded, the property loss was a staggering one for 
the community. Two hundred houses in Rossville, 
Shawnee and that part of Piqua near the canal were 
swept to destruction. 

UNDER MARTIAL LAW 

“The city is under martial law,” said Mr. Wood on 
Saturday following the flood, “patrol duty being con¬ 
ducted by companies A and C of the Third Ohio 
Regiment. Relief for the suffering is being carried 
on with system and dispatch. In addition to the local 
damage the Pennsylvania bridge across the Miami 
is down and no mail has reached the city since the day 
before the flood.” 

THE CITY OF PIQUA 

Piqua, Ohio, a city of Miami County, on Miami 
River and the Miami and Erie Canal, in a rich agri¬ 
cultural section, 27 miles north of Dayton and 72 w r est 
of Columbus. It is served by a traction line from To¬ 
ledo to Cincinnati and by the Pennsylvania and the 
Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railway. It has good 
water-power from the Miami and Erie Canal. Its in¬ 
dustries include large strawboard, hosiery and woolen 

165 


THE FLOOD AT PIQUA 


mills, furniture, carriage, stove and bent wood works. 
The American School-Desk Co.’s factory is here, and 
also a corrugated iron works. Piqua has fine schools, 
churches, banks and a public library of 15,000 volumes. 
Population, 13,388. 



TO THE RESCUE! 

—N. Y. Herald. 


166 










CHAPTER XII 


THE FLOOD AT TIFFIN 

Graphic Story of an Eyewitness of the Flood at 

Its Height—Incidents of the Deluge That 

Swept Mighty Bridges Away. 

Tiffin on Wednesday night, March 26, was a city 
of sorrow and desolation, paralyzed and grief-stricken, 
with a loss of a score or more of lives and a property 
loss close to $1,000,000. The electric light, water and 
gas plants were out of commission, and similar suffer¬ 
ing and distress to that experienced at Dayton pre- 
\jailed on all hands. 

Mayor Keppell on Thursday wired Governor Cox, 
requesting a company of militia to relieve the corps 
of police and city firemen there, who were exhausted 
after sixty hours’ work in rescuing flood victims. 

Looting in the inundated districts was said to have 
assumed serious proportions and the local officials did 
not feel able to cope with the situation. 

The Ursuline Convent and St. Francis Orphanage 
were thrown open to the refugees made homeless by 
the raging waters. 

The two-story brick block of Austin J. Houck 
crumbled Thursday afternoon and was washed away. 

167 


THE FLOOD AT TIFFIN 


All the banks at Tiffin informed the County Com¬ 
missioner that they stood ready to furnish money to 
all who lost their belongings in the flood, and this al¬ 
leviated the suffering of many of the homeless. 

HOW THEY MET THEIR FATE 

The known dead included Mr. and Mrs. W. D. 
Axline; Jacob and Clarence Kenecht and one child; 
Mr. and Mrs. George Klingshirn and seven children. 

Here is how some of them died: 

When the Axline residence was picked up by the 
flood and started careening down the river, watchers 
saw Axline and his wife standing in the window of the 
second story. Her head was pillowed on his shoulder. 
The cries of the wife could be heard above the rushing 
water. 

HUSBAND AND WIFE DIE TOGETHER 

Axline patted his wife on the back and kissed her. 
A moment later the house crashed into the Baltimore & 
Ohio bridge. It was splintered like a bundle of sticks. 
With their arms about each other, husband and wife 
disappeared beneath the raging waters. 

When the home of Jacob Kenecht was swept away 
Mrs. Kenecht and her five children were in the dwelling. 
Kenecht was outside. When he was picked up by the 
current he grabbed the limb of a tree. He held on for 
fifteen minutes. Rescuers attempted to throw him a 


168 


THE FLOOD AT TIFFIN 


line. Each time the wildly running water held the rope 
within a few inches of his outstretched arms. 

Finally, exhausted and numbed by the cold, 
Kenecht gave up the fight against death. “Thanks, 

good-by, boys, I’m-” his last words were swallowed 

by the water that engulfed him. 

A terrible blizzard raged over the stricken city 
Thursday, with a number of families still marooned in 
water-surrounded houses. 

SAVES MANY FROM DEATH 

That the death list was not swollen Wednesday by 
several more was due to the bold efforts of the Toledo 
life-saving crew with its three boats, and the Sandusky 
crew with its nine boats. These men saved many from 
death, braved danger in swirling currents and took des¬ 
perate chances in rescuing families. 

Until Monday morning, “Sailor Jack” Willis was 
an inconspicuous character. On Wednesday he was the 
city’s hero. He took charge of the rescue work. The 
life-saving baskets and cables were made and operated 
under his orders. By stretching cables to a water-sur¬ 
rounded house the occupants, one by one, were brought 
to places of safety. 

“Sailor Jack” personally saved ten people. And 
after sixty hours of work, with no rest, he dropped ex¬ 
hausted. A movement has been started to obtain for 
him a Carnegie medal. 


169 



THE FLOOD AT TIFFIN 


Four women, two of whom were Mrs. A. W. Knott 
and daughter, were rescued from the roof of a barn on 
Water street by telephone linemen, who clung to the 
tops of the poles and swung lines to the women. The 
four were hauled to safety, hand over hand. 

Regina Moltrie, school teacher, climbed a telephone 
pole when the flood struck her home. On her hands 
and knees she crawled across heavy cables to linemen, 
fifty feet above the rushing water. 

FIVE RESCUED IN A BASKET 

County Treasurer W. O. Heckert, his wife and 
three children were taken out of their home in a huge 
basket suspended to a cable. A life line was swung for 
a block and a half to save County Surveyor Charles 
Peters, his wife and child. The family relayed from 
building to building. Sixteen people marooned in the 
Bonette Hotel were taken out in baskets, as were ten 
girls, employes of a mitten factory. 

The bodies of four children, three boys and a girl, 
were found near the Tiffin Wagon Works. It is be¬ 
lieved they were washed down from Upper Sandusky. 

Mrs. Josephine Wagner, eighty-four, laughed at 
warnings of a flood. She refused to move. An hour 
later firemen carried her down a ladder from the second 
story of her home. 


170 


CHAPTER XIII 
INDIANAPOLIS FLOODED 

The first terrors that gripped Indianapolis with 
the bursting of the dams and levees that held the White 
river. Fall creek and the Big and Little Eagle creeks 
in check, were abated Thursday, March 28, by the re¬ 
ports that the flood was abating. 

The city proper, appalled by the tales of woe that 
came from across the river, had been unable to realize 
the extent of the misery and suffering caused by the 
flood in West Indianapolis and Moorefield. Here were 
quartered many of the working people of the town. 

Seven thousand families lost their homes within 
a territory of fifteen miles. Penniless, bitten by the 
cold that set in, these refugees were huddled under 
improvised shelters. The food supply gave out and 
there was intense suffering. 

In the city proper the greatest fear was of a possible 
fire. The water supply was cut off, and so every in¬ 
habitant shared in the distress of the homeless. 

On March 28 food and clothing had been provided 
for many sufferers from the flood and the threatened 


171 


INDIANAPOLIS FLOODED 


famine had been averted. Many were in need of aid. 
however, and relief work was being carried on as 
rapidly as possible. The belief that the catastrophe 
caused a great loss of life was maintained for several 
days, although an estimate could rjot be obtained from 
any source, but later the early reports were found to 
have been based on fear, and the death list was not 
large. 

The White river and several creeks, which sur¬ 
round the business district of Indianapolis, ordinarily 
little streams and dry in summer, early in the week 
became raging torrents, sweeping everything in their 
paths. When the street car service was stopped at 
noon Tuesday, it trapped thousands in the business 
district. Some bridges became unsafe and were closed 
to traffic and the waters sweeping over the others de¬ 
fied vehicles and pedestrians. Hotels of the city were 
crowded to their utmost. As many as ten persons 
slept in a room. The Y. W. C. A. was thrown open 
to working girls and school girls, who were unable to 
reach their homes. 

The experiences in West Indianapolis were similar 
to those elsewhere and many stories of thrilling rescues 
from death and danger were reported. After the flood 
the city set at once bravely to work at the task of re¬ 
building, in which committees of business men lent 
noble aid. 


172 


CHAPTER XIV 


THE FLOOD AT PERU 

“At 7 o’clock, Monday, March 24, all the lights 
in the city of Peru, Ind., went out,” said an eyewitness 
of flood conditions in that city. “Soon afterwards 
the water works was flooded out of commission. W£ 
went to bed by candlelight, only to find that there 
was no heat. The fires were drowned out.” 

Tuesday morning the flood waters descended and 
Peru shared the fate of many sister cities in Indiana 
and Ohio. Then followed 48 hours of abject misery 
for most of the inhabitants. The scene was described 
by one sufferer thus: 

“With the trees, houses, bloated bodies of horses, 
dogs, and even human beings floating around, noth¬ 
ing to drink except the muddy yellow slop of the 
flood, full of sticks, straw, sand and chicken feathers, 
no light except candles, no heat, although the chill 
of the water is clammy and penetrating, and the 
supply of provisions, except canned goods, running 
low, Peru was a scene of horror. The town is situated 
on a level spot along the Wabash, with the court 
house, where a great crowd had sought refuge and 
were sleeping and eating huddled together, the highest 
spot for a mile in any direction. You could just see 

173 


THE FLOOD AT PERU 

the tops of the houses in South Peru, across the 
river. The swollen river was from half a mile to three 
or four miles wide and the current was running about 
25 miles an hours.” 

A blinding snowstorm, which appeared to have 
swept the entire northern part of the State, sent terror 
to the hearts of sufferers. Two thousand people in the 
courthouse, made ill by the filth in the building, strove 
for permission to get into the streets. Those on the sin¬ 
gle square not yet submerged in their turn prayed for 
shelter from the blinding storm. 

WAILING IN THE NIGHT 

All through the night from the steps of the court¬ 
house could be heard the wails of the people in the street. 
And as the moans and shrieks of the sufferers floated 
across the muddy waters groans from those within the 
temporary refuge joined. 

On Thursday a relief party from South Bend, 
headed by Lieutenant-Governor William T. O’Neill, 
reached Peru. The organization of rescue squads 
started and people were moved to places of safety. 


174 


CHAPTER XV 


OTHER CITIES FLOODED 

Details of the Deluge in Many Towns in Ohio, 
Indiana and Elsewhere. 

Of the thousands of fatalities in the catastrophes 
of the last half century in this country probably more 
were due to floods than to any other single cause. 
Rising waters, with destruction of property, have been 
common from year to year in many valleys. Almost 
invariably, however, it has been possible to warn in¬ 
habitants of the low areas adjoining rivers. Most of 
the destruction of life by water has occurred in con¬ 
nection with the breaking of dams or levees, from 
which cities and villages have been inundated. This 
was the case in many places that suffered from the 
never-to-be-forgotten floods of March, 1913. 

In Ohio the first call for help was received by 
Governor Cox from Larue, in Marion County, early 
Tuesday morning, March 25. Appeals soon followed 
from Columbus, Delaware, Prospect and Dayton, the 
latter town reporting through the Red Cross at 
Washington. 

In Indiana Governor Ralston received reports of 
flood damage March 25 and 26 from many points, 

175 


OTHER CITIES FLOODED 


including Peru, West Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Fort 
Wayne, Logansport, B rookyille, Washington, Frank¬ 
fort, Muncie, Lafayette, Newcastle, Rushville and 
Shelburn. Many homeless refugees required aid and 
prompt measures were taken for their assistance. 
Governor Ralston personally superintending the state 
aid. 

Flood damage was by no means confined to the 
states of Ohio and Indiana. Many Illinois towns also 
suffered from the high stage of water. For several 
days Cairo, Ill., was threatened with the worst flood 
in its history and Chicago troops were ordered by 
Governor Dunne to aid in fighting off the danger. 
From cities as widely sundered as Albany, New York, 
and Grand Forks, North Dakota, came reports of 
damage by high water. The general conditions in 
many of these cities and towns is described below. 

AKRON, OHIO 

Mayor Frank W. Rockwell of Akron, Ohio, re¬ 
ported as follows: 

“Flood conditions are bad, but fortunately for us, 
not so bad as reported at Dayton, Columbus and some 
other cities. The Little Cuyahoga River overflowed, 
cutting new channels and carrying to destruction about 
twenty-five dwellings and saloons, all city bridges and 
doing immense damage to the Baltimore & Ohio Rail¬ 
road and county fair grounds. 

“The Ohio Canal also overflowed its banks and 
caused heavy damage through the business district. 

“Several lives have been reported lost, but I know 
of only two cases. 


176 



Ph 










arming for the Future. 









OTHER CITIES FLOODED 

4 ‘Akron can take care of the public loss, but con¬ 
tributions for the benefit of individuals who have suf¬ 
fered loss and are needy would be acceptable.” 

DELAWARE, OHIO 

With a score of persons reported dead—swept away 
in the flooded Olentangy River—many others missing, 
and between 300 and 400 families homeless, this city 
of 10,000 inhabitants was cut off from surrounding 



177 




OTHER CITIES FLOODED 


territory March 25 , with the exception of a crippled 
telegraph service. 

The flooded condition of the town made rescue and 
relief work difficult. Mayor B. V. Leas was reported 
drowned, but saved himself by catching hold of the 
roof of a shed in a lumber yard. Life savers from 
Toledo did good work in rescuing the marooned. 

CELINA, OHIO 

Loss of life and $800,000 damage to property were 
reported from Celina, Ohio, when the flood subsided 
March 29. Many residences were destroyed and the 
flooded district was the scene of many pathetic inci¬ 
dents. A number of persons were unaccounted for 
March 29. The National Guard of Ohio was called 
in to aid the relief work. 

CINCINNATI, OHIO 

At Cincinnati the river reached almost the seventy- 
foot stage March 29 and was rising an inch and a half 
an hour. Twelve thousand persons were homeless in 
the neighboring towns of Covington and Newport. 
Business houses in Front street, Cincinnati, were 
flooded and on Second street some of the places were 
damaged. 

Sixty business houses in Newport and Covington 
were under water. The suspension bridge between 
Cincinnati and Covington, Ky., was under water and 
communication between the two places was cut. 

178 


OTHER CITIES FLOODED 


The village of Cleves, a suburb of Cincinnati, on 
the Great Miami River, was flooded March 25, when 
the embankment fill, over which the traction lines oper¬ 
ated and which served as a levee, gave way and slid 
into the swirling waters. The flood instantly found an 
outlet and swept over the lower portion of the village, 
inundating the entire section. 

The villagers had but slight warning and families 
were forced to rush to upper floors and to housetops 
to get out of the reach of the flood. 

FREMONT, OHIO 

The estimated property loss at Fremont, Ohio, was 
$2,000,000, the flood having done great damage in the 
business district. The number of known deaths by 
drowning was two, Isaac Flora, captain in charge of 
the Port Clinton fishermen, drowned while trying to 
rescue marooned people, and Henry Homan, swept 
from his home. 

Two companies of Ohio state troops aided in the 
task of rescue and relief. A statement in the local 
press March 28 was typical of the spirit of the flooded 
cities. It said: 

“Fremont is today making a heroic effort to arise 
and recover from the most appalling disaster in the 
history of the city—a disaster that has left wreck, ruin, 
desolation, suffering and sadness on all sides.” 


179 


OTHER CITIES FLOODED 


HAMILTON, OHIO 

“Tragedy on every side.” This was the descrip¬ 
tion given of the conditions at Lindenwald, a suburb 
of Hamilton, O., where fifty persons were believed to 
have met their death. It was a common sight, on 
March 25, to see men, women and children sitting on 
tops of houses, praying to be assisted to places of 
safety. In many parts of the town the residents were 
compelled to chop holes in the roofs of their homes in 
order to escape the onrush of the water. 

When darkness fell over the city the condition be¬ 
came desperate. The rescuers were hampered and it 
was impossible to get to the persons who had been 
unable to leave their homes. 

HARRISON, OHIO 

Twelve persons at least met with a tragic fate in 
the flood at Harrison, Ohio, near Cincinnati. The 
village caught the full force of the overflowing White- 
water River, which went through its banks, flooded 
the old canal and went over into the streets. The 
water reached the Central Hotel and was five feet deep 
on State street. 

There was a sea of water over the lowlands of the 
Miami and the Whitewater miles in width, extending 
from Lawrenceburg and Elizabethtown to the east¬ 
ward at Cleves. 


180 


OTHER CITIES FLOODED 

The entire farming community of the lower end 
of the Whitewater Valley was under water, the in¬ 
habitants being compelled to flee to the highlands for 
their lives. A large part of this farming land was 
being prepared for the spring sowing, and the loss to 
the farmers was beyond repair. 

MIDDLETOWN,, OHIO 

Fourteen deaths were reported at Middletown, 
Ohio, as the result of the flood, and the property loss 
was estimated at $1,500,000. 

ZANESVILLE, OHIO 

When the flood waters receded at Zanesville, Ohio, 
where great loss of life had been first reported, the 
number of deaths from drowning was placed at five. 
The property loss was estimated at several millions. 
Half of the city was under water during the flood. 
Many buildings collapsed and the city was further 
endangered by several fires. The city was placed 
under martial law. 

The big Sixth street bridge was swept away by 
the flood and at least 2,000 persons were driven from 
their homes by the high water. 

BROOKVILLE, IND. 

Sixteen deaths were reported at Brookville, Frank¬ 
lin County, Ind., March 28. The victims were caught 
in the conflux of the east and west forks of the White- 
water river, which meet in that town. Survivors tell of 


181 


OTHER CITIES FLOODED 


attempts of men, women and children to escape by the 
light of lanterns after the electric light plant had been 
swamped. Cross currents along streets and alleys car¬ 
ried them down to a united stream a mile wide, just 
south of the town. 

Five children, all of one family, were seen clinging 
to posts of an old fashioned wooden bed, when they 
were swept into the main stream and lost. 

Five large wagon bridges, the Big Four railroad 
bridge, the station and a paper mill were destroyed. 
Fifty summer houses on Whitewater river, south of 
Brookville, were carried away and much other damage 
done. 

The survivors gathered in the churches almost im¬ 
mediately after the disaster and prayed that some of 
those who were in the water’s path might have escaped. 

FORT WAYNE, IND. 

More than 3,000 homes in the three low-lying sub¬ 
urbs of Fort Wayne were submerged, the last to go 
under being Lakeside, which was protected by dikes 
along the St. Joseph and Maumee rivers. There were 
frequent breaks in each dike and the water flowed into 
the second-story windows of the homes. 

Four suburbs were under water—Spy Run, Ne¬ 
braska, Bloomingdale and Lakeside. One person was 
drowned. Hundreds of the rescued spent the night in 
the courthouse, the Elks’ Temple and the churches. 

182 


OTHER CITIES FLOODED 


The bakeries and meat markets of the city supplied 
them with food free of charge, but hundreds of little 
children were crying with thirst, as the water plants 
were put out of commission. The emergency reservoir 
was cut off to save the water for use in case of fire. 

Relief work was promptly organized and efficient 
aid given to the homeless and other sufferers. More 
than 3,000 homes were damaged and the property loss 
ran into millions. 

LOGAN SPORT, IND. 

Two-thirds of the city of Logansport was under 
water, some places to a depth of fifteen feet. There 
w r as only one death reported, but the property loss 
was great. 

Food Can be Had at High School Building; If You Need it Go Get It! 

1 1 Cogawspotf Soutmbitfifotttie 

VOL. 6. NO. _ LO*~.AN:-)'"H f, INDIANA. rH-'TR?.l‘AV MORNING, MARCH :7 1013 1 1 PR1CB TWO CRftTS 

THE WABASH RIVER IS SLOWLY FALUN® 

HBH3BEBS MSPRISMED B¥ FL00B FACE DEATH FROM COLB 

SNOW mm RAGES; RESCUE WORK TO BE RESUMED TODAY 

(Bulletin: Flood Situation at 3 O’clock This Homing) s 

The Wabash River has Fallen 14 Inches Since 2 O'clock Yesterday Afternoon and Is Receding Steadiiy. The Temperature Is 10 De¬ 
grees Lower than at Noon Yesterday, the Thermometer Standing Now at 25 Above Zero. ^ 

There have been About 1.100 People Rescued from the Flood District, 800 by the Culver Cadets. The Cadet3 on Rescue Duty Re¬ 
turned to Culver Last Night there being No Accomodations Here. They will Return at 7 This Morning and Resume Work. Rescue 
Work was Ectirely Abandoned at Nightfall. There are Still Over 1,000 People in the.Flood Zone/ 

But a SmaU Percent of This Number. However, are in Danger of High Water, The Cold and Lack of Food Is the Menace Now 
Faced by Sufferers in the Westside Region. 

The Situation on the Southside Is but Slightly Known. Meage-s Reports Say There are Probably None Drowned but Some are 
in Danger from Starvation and Cold. 

Governor Ralston has Notified the Relief Committee that a Train of Supplies for the Southside Is Enroute from Frankfort. It will 
be Discharged at Loogcl ff and Trucked Over I he Relief Board ha3 Received from South Bend 1,000 Pounds Beef, 500 Pounds 
Boiled Ham, 150 Pounds Lard, 1,500 Loaves of Bread. From Chicago was Received Last Night 5,000 Loaves of Bread The Train 
Bringing It Stopped at Royal Centre and the Bread was Brought Here by Auto. The Supplies are at the High School Depot The 
Crest of the Flood has Passed. Sickn ss, Cold a id Lack of Food are the Dangers Threaten ng Now. 

AU the Homeless ere Provided for but Pre3en Quartets msy not be Sufficient to Care for tke Hupdreds to be Taken Out of tbs 
Flood Disirict Today. 5,000 People have been Driven from Theii Home by be Flood. 

Sillenlv the WaisnSi .la reesdint t*»H«*l ' 1 -' n ‘ 

A FLOOD EDITION 



183 














OTHER CITIES FLOODED 


Business was at a standstill and the attention of the 
people was turned to the work of relief and rescue. 
Four government life-saving boats, each manned by 
ten cadets from the Culver Military Academy, were 
sent to Logansport by special train to aid in the rescue 
work. Naval boats from the United States training 
station at Chicago also assisted in the work. 

Three thousand people were rendered homeless by 
the flood, which followed a rapid rise in the St. Joseph 
River on the night of March 25. 

LAFAYETTE, IND. 

The Wabash River reached a stage of thirty feet 
March 26, inundating the wholesale district. Hun¬ 
dreds were forced to abandon their homes on the 
levee. L. P. Woolery, a Purdue student from Indian¬ 
apolis, was drowned while trying to rescue two men 
who were marooned after the Brown street bridge went 
down. At some places the Wabash was three miles 
wide, and the Monon, Big Four and Wabash railroads 
cancelled all their trains. Lafayette was entirely cut 
off from West Lafayette and 2,000 Purdue students 
suffered from want of food supplies. 

MUNCIE, IND. 

The White River levee broke on the morning of 
March 25 and the entire northern section of the city 
was inundated. Many abandoned their homes and 
sought refuge elsewhere. Business was suspended and 


184 


OTHER CITIES FLOODED 


traffic, both steam and electric, demoralized. The Big 
Four bridge and the Chesapeake & Ohio bridge were 
destroyed. The dike at the water plant broke during 
the night and the employes were forced to abandon 
the building. The city was without fire protection. 

NOBLESVILLE, IND. 

Two persons were drowned by flood at Noblesville, 
Ind., March 25. Many of the business houses closed 
down and residents fled the city. 

TERRE HAUTE, IND. 

The city of Terre Haute awakened Wednesday 
morning, March 26, to a realization of the horrors of 
flood. Sunday night a tornado had torn its way through 
the south side, and all night Tuesday, said an eyewit¬ 
ness, “with the rain pouring down in sheets and the 
water dripping through the remnants of wrecked 
houses, sufferers in the storm-torn city wandered the 
streets, dazed, dumfounded, half crazed. 

“From the banks of the Wabash a clean trail was 
left by the storm king—a trail of ruin, death and suf¬ 
fering. Hospitals were crowded, the morgues crowded, 
schoolhouses filled, and the rain outside poured on, a 
dismal accompaniment to a dismal scene.” 


PENNSYLVANIA TOWNS UNDER WATER 

Reports from the river districts March 25 showed 
all traffic blocked north of Pittsburgh and a half dozen 

185 



OTHER CITIES FLOODED 


towns inundated. Youngstown, Meadville, Sharon 
and Newcastle reported the worst floods in their his¬ 
tory. Pennsylvania trains were held up by numerous 
washouts, industrial plants were shut down and the 
rivers were still rising. 

At Newcastle, Pa., the Neshannock River, which 
usually is about five feet deep, broke loose and became 
a raging torment, sending a stream of water three 
feet deep across the business streets leading to the 
stream. On Neshannock avenue the water reached a 
stage of almost three and a half feet. Many people 
were penned in their homes along the banks of the creek. 


IN NEW YORK STATE 

Loss of life as the result of floods in New York 
state was reported from Glens Falls March 27. A 
bridge there was swept away and two persons are 
said to have been drowned. In the eastern end of the 
state the Mohawk and Hudson valleys experienced 
the worst flood in years. 

In Albany, power plants were put out of service, 
street car traffic was practically suspended and schools 
and factories closed. The south end of the city was 
under water and the police rescued residents there 
in boats. 

The flood situation in the Adirondacks was acute. 
The village of Luthern, with 200 inhabitants, was cut 


186 



OTHER CITIES FLOODED 

off, while half the town of Fort Edwards was inun¬ 
dated. 

At Hornell, N. Y., part of the town was reported 
under water, bridges damaged and a dozen surround¬ 
ing villages inundated. There was one death from 
drowning in the flood at Hornell. Portions of North 
Olean, N. Y., were under ten feet of water and much 
damage resulted. 

TROY, N. Y. 

The worst flood in the history of Troy, N. Y., 
occurred during the week of March 28. After break¬ 
ing all records and creeping up nearly two feet higher 
than the historic overflow of 1857, the water began to 
fall Friday evening, March 29, and receded rapidly. 
So far as was then known, there were no dr ownings 
or other fatalities, but the fire loss was heavy, the 
buildings in most cases being a total loss. Six, eight 
and in some cases ten feet of water prevented the fire¬ 
men doing anything at all. Hundreds of people, par¬ 
ticularly in the South End, were made homeless and 
all they had in the world was in many cases destroyed. 
The loss cannot be calculated, but corporations, mer¬ 
chants and business men suffered heavily. National 
guardsmen patrolled the streets day and night. The 
Troy Gas Company was able to furnish light Friday 
night, which made conditions more bearable. There 
were, of course, no trolley cars and no electric light, 


187 


OTHER CITIES FLOODED 


all power plants in the Capital City district, as well as 
Mechaniesville and Spier Falls, being under water. 

Good order was maintained without difficulty. The 
police and firemen all worked hard. Nobody suffered 
for food or lodging, but the property loss was 
enormous. 

The Standard Press of Troy issued flood editions 
8x11 inches on several days, and was the only news¬ 
paper printed in Troy during the flood. 

Flood conditions were reported from several other 
points in Northern New York. In fact, the week 
will go down in history as unprecedented in the United 
States as a period of widespread damage from storm 
and flood. _ 

CAIRO, ILL. 

During the week of the great floods in Ohio and 
Indiana, fears were expressed at Cairo and other 
Illinois and Kentucky towns in its vicinity, that the 
rising waters of the Ohio and Mississippi would sooner 
or later break through or overtop the levees and 
endanger the lives of their inhabitants. 

Steps were taken for the protection of the levees 
at Cairo and Governor Edward F. Dunne of Illinois 
ordered the Seventh Regiment, I. N. G., Col. Daniel 
Moriarity commanding, from Chicago to assist in the 
work of saving the levees and to preserve order in 
the threatened city. 


188 



OTHER CITIES FLOODED 

The Illinois Naval Reserve was also called out to 
assist and sent a force of men and boats from Chicago 
under Commander William McMunn. 

The work of both forces was efficient and useful. 
The troops did excellent work along the levees and in 
the city, where many of the residents feared the worst. 
The naval militiamen distinguished themselves in 
rescue work. One party of fourteen, in charge of 
Ensign A. R. Pieper, was occupied for three days in 
a relief expedition on the Mississippi, and rescued 142 
starving and flood-bound residents of Kentucky and 
Missouri living along the banks of the river below 
Cairo. Most of those saved had been without food for 
several days. They were found marooned in the upper 
stories of trembling houses and on housetops. 

“The men, women and children we got were in the 
most pitiable condition imaginable,” said Ensign 
Pieper. “The aged people were crying and praying, 
the sick women carried out on litters improvised with 
oars and blankets were in terrible pain and the little 
children were crying with hunger and cold.” 

Shawneetown, Illinois, near Cairo, lay for many 
days at the mercy of the flood waters. Many were 
homeless and relief was furnished by the state. At 
Governor Dunne’s suggestion, flood relief funds col¬ 
lected in Illinois after April 3 were devoted to the aid 
of the homeless and destitute in and around Cairo. It 


189 



OTHER CITIES FLOODED 


was estimated at that time that nearly 20,000 flood 
sufferers in Illinois towns along the Ohio river were 
in urgent need of aid. The flood in Illinois, though 
somewhat dwarfed by the occurrences a few days 
before in Ohio and Indiana, was declared to be the 
worst in the history of the state. 

WHAT CAN MAN DO? 


—Chicago Examiner. 


190 



CHAPTER XVI 


MEASURES OF RELIEF 

Steps Taken by Uncle Sam and tile American 
People Generally to Aid the Homeless Suf¬ 
ferers. 

In the face of the conditions at Dayton, learned 
with the opening of the morning newspapers of 
Wednesday, March 26—two days after news of the 
Omaha tornado had been received—the public re¬ 
sponded nobly to the appeals for rescue and relief. 

The Government did its part, the army organization 
being used to furnish protection, shelter and rations to 
the homeless and suffering. States and cities appro¬ 
priated fuhds to aid in the work; associations of busi¬ 
ness men, clubs, and societies contributed their quota. 
And soon the people of the stricken districts in the two 
States affected by the flood learned the lesson taught 
Chicago, when it was laid in ashes in 1871, that the 
quality of human mercy is not always strained. 
president issues appeal to nation 
. On March 26 President Wilson issued the following 
appeal to the nation to help the sufferers in the Ohio and 
Indiana floods : 

“The terrible floods in Ohio and Indiana .have as¬ 
sumed the proportions of a national calamity. The loss 


191 


MEASURES OF RELIEF 


of life and the infinite suffering involved prompt me to 
issue an earnest appeal to all who are able in however 
small a way to assist the labors of the American Red 
Cross to send contributions at once to the Red Cross at 
Washington or to the local treasurers of the society. 
\Ve should make this a common cause. The needs of 
those upon whom this sudden and overwhelming disaster 
has come should quicken every one capable of sympathy 
and compassion to give immediate aid to those who are 
laboring to rescue and relieve. 

“Woodrow Wilson.’’ 

GOVERNOR COX^ APPEAL FOR AID 

“If our worst fears are confirmed, it will be neces¬ 
sary for us to call on the outside world for tents and 
supplies in order to make provision for the worst 
calamity that has ever befallen this state,” said Governor 
James M. Cox on the morning after the flood descended. 

The Governor also said troops were ordered out for 
duty in the capital city and that the naval reserves were 
dispatched from Toledo to Piqua. The Dayton com¬ 
panies are on duty in that city, he said. 

The Cincinnati companies, presumably, the Gover¬ 
nor said, would be dispatched to Hamilton and Middle- 
town, which lie in the Miami Valley, and which sent out 
distress signals. 

At the suggestion of Governor Cox a bill was drawn 
and presented to the Legislature the same day by Rep- 


192 



SCENE AT DAYTON, OHIO. 

In the Residence District of the Flooded City, When Boats Were Scarce and in Urgent Demand. 


















DISTRIBUTING SUPPLIES AT DAYTON. 

The Relief Stations Were Thronged by Those Suffering for Lack of Food and Clothin 



















MEASURES OF RELIEF 


resentative Lofrie, appropriating $250,000 for relief of 
the flood sufferers of the state. 

Governor Cox sent out appeals for aid to the Gov¬ 
ernors of all the border states of Ohio, including Penn¬ 
sylvania, West Virginia, Michigan, Indiana and Ken¬ 
tucky. Tents and provisions were badly needed, accord¬ 
ing to the Governor’s appeal. 

CHICAGO DOES ITS SHARE 

As an example of the outpouring of practical sym¬ 
pathy the aid extended by the citizens of Chicago may 
be cited. Similar steps were taken in most of the large 
cities of the country. 

The Chicago Association of Commerce issued the 
following appeal through a special Flood Committee 
the morning after the flood swept over Dayton: 

To the People of Chicago and Vicinity: 

Your contribution to the fund for the relief of the 
sufferers in the stricken district of Ohio and Indiana is 
desired immediately. 

A substantial sum was immediately wired the Presi¬ 
dent of the United States, who is president of the Amer¬ 
ican Red Cross, and further contributions must follow 
from day to day. 

It is desired by your committee that all whose hearts 
go out to our neighbors in their distress be given an op¬ 
portunity of subscribing, and that the fund be a general 


193 


MEASURES OF RELIEF 

expression of the sympathy and helpfulness of this great 
eity. 

To that end we ask your subscription, no matter how 
small it may be. Your committee will have responsible 
representatives on the ground to act with officials of the 
Red Cross and the State Governments. 

Send your contribution to the Chicago Association 
of Commerce, 10 South La Salle Street, Chicago, mak¬ 
ing checks payable to the order of Francis T. Simmons, 
Treasurer, and receipt will be duly acknowledged. 

Homer A. Stillwell, Chairman. 

John W. Scott, Vice-Chairman. 

Francis T. Simmons, 

Treasurer Flood Relief Committee, Chicago Association 
of Commerce. 

CHICAGO RESPONDS TO OHIO’S APPEAL 

One Chicago newspaper printed the following call 
in response to Governor Cox’s appeal for aid: 

“The Chicago American calls upon the people of 
Chicago to respond to the appeal of the Governor of 
Ohio for financial and other material assistance for the 
thousands of persons that are suffering in the flooded 
districts. The swollen rivers, broken dams and over¬ 
flowing lakes in the hills of Ohio have caused millions of 
dollars’ worth of loss, thrown thousands upon thou¬ 
sands of men out of work, closed factories and business 
houses, blocked railroads and rendered homeless and 
destitute unnumbered thousands of men, women and 


194 


MEASURES OF RELIEF 


children. The disaster is the most appalling in the 
history of Ohio and one of the most terrible that any 
portion of the United States has known. 

“ ‘He gives twice who gives quickly.’ 

“Ohio, through her chief executive, calls on the world 
to come to the rescue. There is no time to be lost. The 
need is great and immediate. Clothing, food, tents, 
money and medicine must be furnished to the stricken 
people with a lavish hand. There must be no suffering 
in Ohio that the people of the United States can, with 
magnificent generosity, prevent. The opportunity is 
here for Chicago to rise to this occasion as grandly as 
she has always risen to the plea of suffering municipali¬ 
ties, and as grandly as the nation rose to Chicago’s re¬ 
lief in her time of tremendous trial in 1871. 

“Send contributions of money, payable to the Chi¬ 
cago American Ohio Relief Fund. Notify the Ameri¬ 
can where supplies of clothing, bedding, tents, cooking 
utensils and other necessaries may be called for. Let 
there be no stint in Chicago’s response to Ohio’s appeal.” 

QUICK RESPONSE TO CRY FOR AID IS GIVEN 

Quick response to Chicago’s appeal for aid for flood 
sufferers in Ohio and Indiana came at the weekly lunch¬ 
eon of the ways and means committee of the Chicago 
Association of Commerce March 26. The following 
contributions were among those pledged on the day 
following the flood: 


195 


MEASURES OF RELIEF 

Marshall Field & Co.$5,000.00 

Sears, Roebuck & Co. 5,000.00 

International Harvester Co. 5,000.00 

Commonwealth Edison Co. 5,000.00 

Crane Co. 5,000.00 

Armour & Co... 5,000.00 

Morris & Co.. . .. 2,500.00 

Swift & Co. 2,500.00 

Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co. 2,000.00 

Butler Bros. 2,000.00 

Cudahy Packing Co,. 1,000.00 

John V. Farwell & Co. 1,000.00 

Mandel Bros. 1,000.00 

Hart, Shaffner & Marx. 1,000.00 

Siegel, Cooper & Co. 1,000.00 

Boston Store. 1,000.00 

The Fair .. 1,000.00 

A. M. Rothschild & Co. 500.00 

Spaulding & Co. 500.00 

Evanston Commercial Association. 500.00 

Wilson Bros. 500.00 

Charles A. Stevens & Bros. 250.00 

Hathaway, Smith, Folds & Co.. 250.00 

Chapin & Gore. 250.00 

A. C. McClurg & Co. 250.00 

Albert R. Barnes & Co. 150.00 

Chicago’s total subscription exceeded $300,000. 

196 




























MEASURES OF RELIEF 


A total of nearly $60,000 was subscribed to this 
Relief Fund in Chicago the first day. 

QUICK ACTION IN WASHINGTON 

The prompt action taken by the Federal authorities 
to relieve distress and guard against pestilence in the 
flooded districts is shown in the following report from 
Washington: 

Wednesday, March 26.—Convinced that the Ohio- 
Indiana flood would be followed by a pestilence that 
will claim double the number of victims of the flood 
itself. President Wilson, through the War Depart¬ 
ment, has taken unprecedented measures for relief. Not 
only are a million rations and tentage for 30,000 per¬ 
sons on the way to Columbus, but within twenty-four 
hours eight army surgeons with 10,000 vaccine and 
anti-typhoid points and medical supplies in abundance 
will be at work in the district. 

President Wilson ordered these things to be done 
immediately on receipt of an appeal from Governor 
Cox. He has since been assured by Chairmen Martin 
and Fitzgerald of the Senate and House Appropria¬ 
tions Committees that whatever money is expended will 
be appropriated at the opening of the coming session 
of Congress. 

The appeal for food and medical supplies from 
Governor Cox reached the White House shortly after 
noon. Ten minutes later the War and Treasury De- 


197 


MEASURES OF RELIEF 


partments and other governmental agencies were at 
work rushing preparations for relief on a scale never 
before equaled in this country in days of peace. 

SUPPLIES ALREADY SENT 

Before nightfall a quarter of the supplies that were 
ordered forwarded were on their way by express with 
instructions to those in charge to employ automobiles 
and pack trains if the relief trains should be stalled 
by washouts. 



The first invoice was dispatched from Chicago, the 
nearest available point of Ripply. The provisions, 
medicines and supplies not readily available were pur¬ 
chased in the open market, boxed and loaded on trains 
by as many men as could be hired for the purpose. 

In the emergency the army ration (enough food to 
feed one man one day) was made up as follows: Eight 
ounces of salted or tinned meat, hard bread and one 

198 


/ 







MEASURES OF RELIEF 


pound of flour for use where baking can be done; bak¬ 
ing powder, evaporated milk, coffee and sugar. 

These supplies were purchased by the depot quar¬ 
termaster of the army in Chicago with instructions not 
to haggle over the price. 

The first consignment of supplies was dispatched 
to (iolumbus, from which place it will be distributed 
under the direction of Governor Cox. 

Majors Normoyle and Logan, U. S. A., were 
started from Washington for Columbus this afternoon 
with orders to do everything possible to aid Governor 
Cox in giving relief. Both have done duty of this kind 
in the Mississippi flood districts and are the kind of men 
upon whom General Wood, chief of staff, and Quarter¬ 
master-General Aleshire place absolute reliance. 

FOTJK THOUSAND TENTS SHIPPED 

No assurance could be given by the railroad author¬ 
ities that the supplies sent from the emergency depot 
in Washington could be got past Pittsburgh on their 
way West. However, a special train will be ready at 
Pittsburgh and the supplies will be rushed to Columbus 
if possible. 

Prom Philadelphia 4,000 tents were shipped this 
afternoon by special express train, together with 30,- 
000 cots, 200 hospital tents and 400 stoves. The tents 
are of the conical wall type, and in an emergency can 
accommodate six persons each. 


199 


MEASURES OF RELIEF 


In conjunction with the work of the War Depart¬ 
ment, the Red Cross put its entire machinery to work, 
and in addition began the task of raising the enormous 
amount of money that will be necessary very soon. 

Supplemental to the work of the Red Cross, Secre¬ 
tary McAdoo directed that the public health service 
immediately get into action. All the surgeons of the 
service that can be spared from other duties will be 
rushed into Ohio. 

Although up to midnight no order for the move¬ 
ment of troops had gone out, all the post commanders 
within a range of 500 miles of Ohio were instructed to 
have their men in instant readiness to march. The first 
report of vandalism or the looting of the destroyed 
cities that reaches the War Department will result in 
an order for the troops to be-entrained for Ohio. 


PROCLAMATION BY BRAND WHITLOCK 

To the People of Toledo: 

Our state has been visited by one of those fateful 
calamities that are so vast and appalling that the imag¬ 
ination is powerless to reduce to human terms the suf¬ 
fering and anguish they produce. The floods of the 
past three days suddenly, in the night, turned out of 
their homes thousands of people in all the western part 
of our state, and men and women and children find 
themselves without shelter, without clothing, without 


200 




—IO»t>jrl*ht. iaia. by H<mrj B*f «?tCb*vb» 

—Chicago Record-Herald. 


MEASURES OF RELIEF 


food. They sit in sorrow and despair, benumbed by the 
disaster that has overwhelmed them. 

These are our own people, the citizens of our own 
Ohio, and the great heart of Toledo will not fail to re- 


A NATION-WIDE FLOOD 


201 







MEASURES OF RELIEF 


spond quickly and generously to the appeal that comes 
to us this morning. I am appointing a committee to 
receive contributions—contributions of all sorts, clothing 
and food and money—and I am sending word to the 
mayors of the stricken cities that Toledo will help them. 
He gives twice who gives quickly. 

Brand Whitlock,, Mayor. 

TOLEDO SENDS RELIEF 

The following dispatch from Toledo tells part of 
the story of the work of relief p^mptly organized there: 

Toledo, Ohio, March 27.—The cry for help from 
the raging torrents of water that swept throughout 
Ohio, leaving in its path death and desolation, has given 
way to a cry for bread. 

From Fremont, Tiffin, Ottawa and other stricken 
cities in northwestern Ohio today came appeals to the 
Toledo Commerce Club for bread and yeast. 

Fremont, through Chief of Police Knapp, placed an 
order with local bakeries for 5,000 loaves of bread. The 
Commerce Club gave each bakery in Toledo an order 
for 2,000 loaves of bread, making 10,000 loaves that the 
Commerce Club will distribute before tomorrow’. 

Toledo bakeries are rushed to the limit of their ca¬ 
pacity and their regular trade is being neglected to care 
for the needs of the northwestern Ohio flood sufferers. 

The cry for gasoline is also coming from northwest- 


202 


MEASURES OF RELIEF 


ern Ohio cities. With gas plants in the various cities 
shut down and other fuel under water, the»flood victims 
are suffering from the cold. The most of the gasoline 
will be used as fuel, although some of it will go to 
operate power boats that are doing noble rescue work. 

Ottawa, Ohio, also called for more supplies and the 
Commerce Club volunteer committee is busy getting 
this train ready. 

A second train, carrying thirty-eight rowboats, was 
dispatched to Dayton early today in charge of police 
officers delegated by Chief Knapp to assist at Dayton. 

Clothing, food, blankets and cash are coming in to 
temporary quarters of the Commerce Club relief com¬ 
mittee in the Nasby building in large amounts, and 
Toledo is doing its share for the relief of the sufferers 
in splendid style. 

TRAIN REACHES DAYTON 

The first Toledo relief train, according to the follow¬ 
ing message received by Secretary Biggers, of the To¬ 
ledo Commerce Club, from Governor Cox, must have 
reached Dayton early on March 27. The message read: 

“Toledo did the most effective work of any city in 
the State or surrounding country. The city grasped 
the seriousness of conditions, apparently, before any 
other city, and I have taken the trouble to call you on 
the telephone to express to the people of Toledo and to 

203 


MEASURES OF RELIEF 

your organization my deep appreciation and the deep 
appreciation of all of the people of the State. 

“Toledo’s train was the first on the ground, and I 
understand the relief workers are doing noble service 
in the stricken city of Dayton.” 

MANY CITIES START RELIEF WORK 

Other cities that took early relief action, according 
to dispatches received March 27, were as follows: 

New York.—Physicians, nurses and Red Cross 
workers, bearing medical supplies, food and clothing, 
left for the flooded district Thursday night. 

San Francisco.—Mindful of the generosity shown 
San Francisco in the hour of her affliction, Governor 
Johnson joined with the Legislature in an appeal to 
contribute to the relief of the stricken cities of Ohio, 
Indiana and Nebraska. Chambers of commerce and 
mayors in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Stockton, 
Seattle, Spokane and others of the principal cities up 
and down the coast set about raising funds. 

Des Moines.—Governor G. W. Clark issued an ap¬ 
peal asking aid for the flood sufferers. 

St. Paul.—Governor Eberhart telegraphed Gov¬ 
ernor Cox, of Ohio, offering aid and asking the needs 
of the flood victims. A joint resolution appropriating 
$5,000 for relief was introduced in the House and acted 
on quickly. 


204 


MEASURES OF RELIEF 


Milwaukee.—Department Commander Spratt, of 
the State Grand Army of the Republic, issued a special 
order asking subscriptions from Civil War veterans for 
their comrades who suffered in the floods. 

Salt Lake City, Utah.—A fund of $1,000 was 
raised in a few minutes by the Salt Lake Commercial 
Club, March 27. The Ohio Society of Utah raised a 
like amount. 

Pueblo, Colo.— The Trades Assembly last night 
voted $1,600 for the flood relief. 

Klamath Falls, Ore.—Klamath County has started 
eight carloads of potatoes to the flood sufferers of the 
East. Others will follow. One car will be sent to each 
big city in distress. 

Baltimore.—It was announced at the general offices 
of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company * that all 
relief supplies consigned to communities in the flood 
regions will be transported free. They will receive first 
consideration and be forwarded as promptly as possi¬ 
ble. Governor Goldsborough, president of the Mary¬ 
land Red Cross Society, issued an appeal for contribu¬ 
tions in aid of the flood sufferers. 

Harrisburg, Pa.—Governor Tener issued a procla¬ 
mation calling on the citizens of Pennsylvania to extend 
aid to the flood sufferers in Ohio. 

Sterling, Ill.—Mayor J. W. McDonald raised a 
$300 benefit fund for Dayton flood sufferers. 


205 


MEASURES OF RELIEF 


Champaign, Ill.—Mayor Coughlin, of Champaign, 
issued an appeal for funds to aid the flood sufferers and 
named a committee to solicit. 

Hammond, Ind.—Though meeting with serious 
flood conditions in their own cities, people of the Calu¬ 
met region are raising $50,000 in cash and sending a 
trainload of supplies to the central Indiana flood dis¬ 
trict. The Hammond Chamber of Commerce sent out 
a car of blankets, clothing and food supplies. The Ham¬ 
mond Boat Club will send its commodore and fleet of 
motor boats on Chesapeake & Ohio flat cars to Peru. 
The East Chicago Chamber of Commerce voted a large 
subscription and forty factories in that region have 
started contribution lists. Mayors of Gary, Hammond 
and East Chicago issued proclamations today. 


206 


CHAPTER XVII 


RECENT AMERICAN FLOODS 

FLOOD IN THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY 

One of the most destructive floods in the history of 
the Mississippi Valley occurred in the spring of 1912. 
Owing to the heavy and late snowfalls and the somewhat 
sudden melting of the snow in the latter part of March 
and the first part of April, a vast volume of water was 
poured into the Mississippi River by its tributaries. At 
some places the levees were broken and at other places 
they were overflowed, with the result that thousands of 
acres of rich farming lands were inundated. At Cairo, 
Ill., May 4, the river stood at 53.9 feet, which was 1.7 
feet above the high water mark of 1883. At Memphis 
the high record mark was broken by 3 feet. 

At the request of the mayor of Cairo troops were 
sent to patrol the levees at that city April 2. The sol¬ 
diers were supplemented by hundreds of railroad and 
other laborers, and through their efforts the dikes pro¬ 
tecting the town were strengthened sufficiently to with¬ 
stand the pressure. The Mobile & Ohio levee broke 
April 4 and the drainage district north of Cairo was 

207 


RECENT AMERICAN FLOODS 


flooded, causing a damage estimated at $5,000,000. 
Railroad service was almost cut off, being maintained in 
some instances only by the use of tugs where the lines 
were under water. April 5 the Government levee west 
of Hickman, Ky., protecting the Reelfoot Lake district 
of Kentucky and Tennessee, gave way and a large area 
of country was inundated. 

April 7 it was estimated by Government engineers 
and State Levee Boards that as a result of the floods, 
which then had continued two weeks, thirty persons had 
been drowned and 30,000 made homeless; that 2,000 
square miles of territory had been inundated, and that 
damage had been caused amounting to $10,000,000. 
Several levees on both sides of the Mississippi above and 
below Memphis had given way and large areas of land 
in Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Missis¬ 
sippi and Louisiana were under water. In the northern 
part of the city of Memphis twenty-five blocks were 
submerged, 1,300 persons were made homeless, and 
3,000 were thrown out of work by the shutting down of 
factories. Railroad traffic was interrupted, and Hick¬ 
man, Ky., for a time wai^on the verge of a famine on 
account of the lack of supplies. The destitution in the 
flooded districts was great until relieved by Federal and 
State aid. 

In Mississippi, where the flood was at its worst 
about April 20, many deaths from drowning occurred. 


208 



~ . . _ , fire follows flood. 

One of the Scenes that Will Live Forever in the Memory of Many Residents of Dayto 











•** 


1 




t % m 


I 


JUST ABLE TO NAVIGATE. 

Rescuers Striving to Reach the Marooned at Logan sport, Ind. 







RECENT AMERICAN FLOODS 


Fifteen persons were lost near Benoit in the flood that 
came from a break in the levee between that place and 
Beulah. It was reported that altogether about 200 
lives were lost in Bolivar County, Mississippi. The 
majority of the victims were colored. 

Congress, at the request of President Taft, appro¬ 
priated $350,000, April 2, for the relief of the flood 
sufferers. May 7 Congress appropriated the further 
sum of $1,239,179.65 for the same purpose. The money 
was expended for supplies furnished by the quartermas¬ 
ter-general and commissary-general of the army. 

THE GREAT JOHNSTOWN FLOOD 

„ Johnstown, Pa., is a city on the Conemaugh River, 
by rail fifty-eight miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Manu¬ 
facturing of various kinds is extensively carried on, steel¬ 
making being the most important industry. The plant 
of the Cambria Steel Company is one of the best 
equipped establishments of the kind in America. There 
also are the Lorain Steel Company, an iron and steel 
works, furniture factories, potteries, a wireworks and 
woolen and leather factories. Public buildings of note 
are Cambria Free Library, Conemaugh Valley 
Memorial Hospital, the city hall, high school, Fran¬ 
ciscan monastery and several churches. 

Johnstown is famous as the scene of one of the great¬ 
est catastrophes of recent years. By the bursting of a 
reservoir on May 31, 1889, the city was overwhelmed 


209 


RECENT AMERICAN FLOODS 


with a flood. The water descended through a nar¬ 
row valley and destroyed everything in its path. The 
loss of life is estimated at 2,500 or 3,000. An appeal for 
aid was generously responded to both at home and 
abroad, the cash contributions amounting to more than 
$4,000,000. Johnstown today is a much larger and finer 
city than before her misfortune, of which but few traces 
remain. The city occupies the hundredth place in Amer¬ 
ica’s large cities, its population being 55,482. 

THE GALVESTON TIDAL WAVE 

Galveston, in southeastern Texas, has an interest 
and importance exceeding that of any other city of the 
same size in the United States. Its special claim to 
distinction lies in the energy of its citizens in wresting 
prosperity out of unparalleled disaster, and, at the same 
time, initiating the business corporation form of munici¬ 
pal government, known widely as the Galveston plan. 
The situation of the city on Galveston Bay, which is 35 
by 15 miles, gives it the best natural harbor on the Gulf 
of Mexico and makes of it a seaport second only to 
New Orleans. Its further growth must keep pace with 
the development of the great Southwest. It had the 
disadvantage of lying on an island which, although 30 
miles long by 3 wide, rose but a few feet above the level 
of the Gulf, and was occasionally flooded. Proper 
paving and drainage were impossible. Lying in the 
same latitude as St. Augustine, Fla., its climate is sub- 


210 


RECENT AMERICAN FLOODS 

tropical. Groves of oleander and orange gave it beauty; 
but cholera and yellow fever were accepted as inevitable, 
as was corruption in the municipal government. It was 
a wide open, slatternly, unhealthy town, but no one 
thought of changing anything, for business flourished 
with the enormous shipments of cotton, wheat, lumber, 
tallow and hides, and life, if precarious, was easy and 
luxurious. 

On the 8th of September, 1900, the city was almost 
„ destroyed by a cyclone and tidal wave. One-sixth of the 
population was drowned and one-third of the property 
destroyed. The rotten cedar block pavements floated 
off in rafts, laying bare the original sand. The treasury 
was empty, credit was gone, taxes could not be assessed 
on property that had ceased to exist. Thousands were 
fleeing from the stricken city, and, in the hour of ex¬ 
tremity, the municipal government broke down. But 
that ill-wind had blown away indifference, greed and 
moral miasma. Out of the disaster sprang such energy, 
ability and civic patriotism as the world has rarely wit¬ 
nessed. The work to be done needed new, clean tools. 
The city was looked upon as a ruined business, and a 
business-corporation government was devised to build 
it up again. 

A special act of the Legislature abolished the mayor 
and council and created a board of directors, or commis¬ 
sioners, of five members, one of whom is president, all 


RECENT AMERICAN FLOODS 

being elected by popular vote. Salaries were nominal, 
for the commissioners were simply the responsible heads 
of departments with well paid expert managers under 
them to carry out the details. The same kind of men 
of independent means, position and reputation were se¬ 
cured as now serve for nothing on library, park and 
school boards in other cities. One commissioner was at 
the head of finance and revenue—a banker with an ex¬ 
pert accountant, employed as city auditor, under him; 
one had charge of waterworks and sewage, with a civil 
engineer; one of fire and police; and one of streets and 
public property. 

In the period since the catastrophe Galveston has 
built a sea-wall four and a half miles long and seven¬ 
teen feet high, and raised the grade of the city to its top. 
It has paved the business section with brick and installed 
a sewerage system; drained the swamps; stamped out 
epidemics, and cleaned the town morally. In spite of 
this monumental work municipal expenses have been cut 
one-third. The credit of the city is above par. The 
population has been about restored, and the business 
has increased. Dallas and Houston have adopted the 
Galveston plan, and cities all over the country are watch¬ 
ing the experiment with interest. The population of 
Galveston was, at the last census, 36,981. 


212 


MOST DISASTROUS FLOODS IN HISTORY 
OF THE WORLD 


Dort, Holland .. 

.1421 

100,000 

Holland (dikes) . 

.1530 

400,000 

Catalonia. 

.1617 

50,000 

Zeeland and Hamburg. 

.1717 

1,300 

Navarre. 

.1787 

2,000 

Lorca, Spain (reservoir).. .. 

..April 14,1802 

1,000 

Dantzig. 

..April 9,1829 

1,200 

New Orleans. 

.. .May 12,1849 

1,600 

Sheffield, England. 

.March 12,1864 

250 

Mill River Valley, Northampton, 


Mass. 

.. .May 16,1874 

144 

Pittsburgh, Pa. 

.. .July 26,1874 

220 

Szegedin, Hungary. 

.March 12,1879 

1,177 

Marcia, Spain. 

.. .Oct. 16, 1879 

1,000 

Johnstown, Pa. 

.. .May 31,1889 

2,280 

Mississippi River, St. Louis. 

. . .May 25,1892 

250 

Oil City, Pa. 

..June 5, 1892 

350 

Mississippi River, St. Louis. 

. .April 13,1893 

250 

Brazos River, Texas. 

...July 5,1899 

200 

Galveston, Texas. 

...Sept. 8,1900 

6,000 

Oakford Park, Pa. 

...July 6,1903 

50 

Austin, Pa. 

.. Sept. 30,1911 

200 


213 






















HELPING,HANDS. 


—N. Y. World. 



214 

































































































CHAPTER XVIII 


WHAT TO DO AFTER A FLOOD 

(Dr. W. A. Evans, former health officer of Chicago, 
in the Chicago Tribune.) 

After the flood comes the aftermath. In a flooded 
district the waters rage, destroying lives and property 
for a few days. Then they drop back to their accus¬ 
tomed channels, and contagion rages, destroying lives 
and health for a few weeks. 

The aftermath is, too, a product of the flood. Scar¬ 
let fever, diphtheria, smallpox, and other forms of 
active contagion are increased because the regular 
methods and customs of the community are disturbed. 
In the excitement and daze, quarantines are not kept 
and many more people are exposed than in normal 
times. Typical cases that in orderly times would stay 
at home and be on the safe side, mingle with the mad 
rush of fleeing people, or gather in the idle crowds of 
sightseers. 

These are the reasons, and not street filth, why 
there is an aftermath of contagion. This group of 

215 


WHAT TO DO AFTER A FLOOD 


diseases usually flares up about a week after the flood 
begins and they are at their worst about three weeks 
later. 

BEWARE OF PNEUMONIA 

There will be some pneumonia aftermath. The 
colds that come from the damp walled houses will 
show up within a day after the people have moved 
back. Some pneumonia will develop within a day. 

Pneumonia differs from typhoid fever in that the 
disease comes within a few hours after the germs get 
into the blood, whereas, in typhoid they stay in the 
system a week before the sickness starts. 

However, some of the colds that start the first night 
in the wet house will not develop into pneumonia for 
three or four days. The pneumonia germs in the nose 
and throat cause colds; in the blood, cause pneumonia. 

In the Chicago tuberculosis exhibit are graphic pic¬ 
tures of wet-footed houses and the harm done by them. 
In the flood districts the houses are more than wet¬ 
footed; they are wet through and through. 

THE REMEDY 

The remedy? Thorough cleansing, emptying the 
basements of water, washing of floors, sinks and toilets 
with a chlorinated lime or carbolic mixture. 

To make a solution of chlorinated lime for wash¬ 
ing, pour a pound of the powder from a tin can into 
half a barrel of water. To make a solution of one of 


216 


WHAT TO DO AFTER A FLOOD 

the crude carbolic preparations, put a tablespoonful 
in a gallon of water. 

Above all, heat, sun and air the house and its 
contents and repeat day after day. 

TYPHOID AND DIARRHOEA 

Much of the most important of the flood after¬ 
maths are typhoid fever and diarrhoeas. The stench 
from dirt and decaying matter in the streets and the 
yards is objectionable, but not of much consequence 
as compared with the pollution of the water. 

Frequently the wells or reservoirs are located in 
low places and the flood waters cover them. This 
happened at Peru this year and last year at Memphis. 
Frequently a connection from the reservoir-well to the 
sewers, provided to prevent the wells from overflowing, 
will carry sewage from the sewers to the well. This 
happened at Mankato. 

Frequently a town uses the unfiltered water from 
some normally fairly safe stream, but a stream which, 
in flood times, is heavily polluted. Frequently the 
people who live on the flats habitually use water from 
dug wells and, in times of flood the yards, vaults and 
stables are emptied into these wells. 

Some part of the typhoid is due to the washing of 
milk utensils in the polluted water. Some part of it 
is due to the general disarrangement of the habits and 

217 


WHAT TO DO AFTER A FLOOD 

customs of the people, subjecting them to a miscel¬ 
laneous lot of typhoid foci. 

BOIL OK CHLORINATE WATER 

The remedy? Influence just as many people as 
possible to boil or chlorinate their drinking water. By 
boiling is meant to heat the water until it starts to 
simmer. The typhoid germ is killed by a temperature 
of 160 degrees, 50 degrees below boiling. 

To chlorinate, put a teaspoonful of chlorinated lime 
in three teacups of water. Put one teaspoonful of this 
solution in two gallons of drinking water. 

It is the universal experience that a community 
that trusts to individual action in boiling the water 
always pays the penalty of typhoid. Therefore, the 
proper policy is for the community to treat the water. 
A temporary chlorine plant of the type proposed by 
Darnell for the army may be installed. Or chloride 
of lime may be dissolved in the water at the reservoir 
or in the well. The amount used when the water is 
extremely muddy and heavily polluted should be some¬ 
where around thirty to forty pounds a million gallons 
—as much as the people will stand. As the water gets 
clearer the quantity may be reduced day by day until 
it reaches fifteen, or even ten pounds per million gal¬ 
lons. After things have got nearly normal, say ten 
days after the pollution, it may go to five or even three 
pounds. 


WHAT TO DO AFTER A FLOOD 


OFFICIAL ACTION NEEDED 

As the people who have dug wells are certain to 
begin using the water after a week or ten days, the 
officers should themselves purify this water with chlo¬ 
ride of lime. A few barrels and some pipe constitute 
all the apparatus required. For immediate use the 
lime may be placed in a gunny sack and dragged 
through the well. The expense is nominal. 

The street department must see that the streets 
and alleys are cleaned and an ample squad of sanitary 
police must see that the houses are cleaned. 

However, effort in this direction must not divert 
attention from the main danger, namely, polluted 
water and milk. What is on the floor is bad, but what 
gets in you is a million times worse. 

Finally, the wise people in a flood area will get 
vaccinated against typhoid. Vaccination saved Mem¬ 
phis in 1912. 


219 


WHEN MONEY IS OF NO ACCOUNT AT ALL! 



AT 


'«5>C»rr SEND- US MONEY! SEND US NURSES, PHYSICIANS -FOODl”—APPEAL. 
XEC& DAYTON, FLOOD BETAKF CQALMlTTSEk., 1 ' 


OF THE CHAIRMAN OH 


—Superior, Wis., Telegram. 


220 














































CHAPTER XIX 
COMMENTS OF THE PRESS 

THE FLOOD DISASTER. 

(Omaha Bee, March 27.) 

In our own terrible affliction we can sympathize 
thoroughly with communities in Ohio, Indiana and other 
middle states, where floods have wrought havoc to life 
and property more far-reaching than our tornado de¬ 
struction. The governor estimates 250,000 people home¬ 
less in Ohio alone and the same number is estimated 
for Indiana, while 1,000 in all are reported dead, and 
property losses are mounting up into tens of millions, 
much too indefinite to reckon now. Dayton, where the 
greatest destruction centers, is flooded by the river as 
the result of a dam going out. 

Many American cities have fallen under the blight 
of fire or flood or wind, or earthquake, only to rise 
stronger and better, and that is the test now to be met 
by all those at this time staggering to their feet after 
these terrible blows. There ought to be a community of 
sorrow to inspire a similar resolution in all to build 
better than before. 


221 


COMMENTS OF THE PRESS 


THE SILVER LINING. 

(St. Louis Republic, March 27.) 

Cities and districts suffering from storm and flood 
should take heart to remember one thing. Such a spring 
as the present one is usually followed by harvests of 
almost immeasurable abundance. 

The most important industry in this country is the 
live-stock industry. Its products in a year exceed by 40 
per cent the value of all the iron and steel produced 
annually in the United States. 

Now a year of floods is always a year of grass. Pas¬ 
tures will be fat this year and meadows stand waist high. 
Our chief industry will receive a wonderful stimulus. 
Floods may drown out some wheat, but they will give 
us a bumper crop of hay, and the hay crop of the United 
States is worth more than 40 per cent more than the 
wheat crop. We think little about it because it is chiefly 
consumed on the farm and reaches the market in the 
form of meat, but a year of good grass is a good year for 
the American farmer. 

Another thing: A wet spring extends thejnargin 
of profitable cultivation westward. On the prairies the 
blue-stem grass will invade areas usually given over 
to buffalo grass, and farmers west of the ninety-eighth 
meridian will see the signs of a good corn year and plant 
accordingly. 

Golden streams of grain will converge on Omaha as 
July passes into August. The rich valleys of Ohio, the 
fifth state in the Union in value of agricultural products, 
will wave with grass and corn as spring waxes into sum- 

222 


COMMENTS OF THE PRESS 

mer and add the wealth of their dairy and meat products 
to the food supply of the nation. Strange as it may 
seem, with the very destructiveness of storm and flood 
are bound up those beneficent forces which multiply the 
cattle on a thousand hills and make the valleys laugh 
with abundant harvests. 


THE TEMPEST. 

(Milwaukee, Wis., Press, March 26.) 

’As in the case of the fearful Sicilian earthquake some 
years ago, the brute, insensate powers of nature have 
brought death and desolation to humanity during a festi¬ 
val of divine significance. Then it was the anniversary 
of the Saviour’s birth that was desecrated by this ruth¬ 
less and unnecessary tide of human woe. Now it is the 
anniversary of his life-bringing resurrection. 

Bitter as is the irony of such contrasts, few in this 
dispensation, save the bigoted and benighted, regard 
these great calamities as visitations of divine vengeance; 
few ,even hold God in any way responsible. 

In the olden time men turned their anguished faces 
toward the heavens, and prayed or cursed or begged at 
least for reasons, but the inscrutable and changeless 
dome vouchsafed no answer. But as our conception of 
the divinity has grown more spiritual, we have come to 
realize that God is love, and we have come to look for 
him in the material^operations of the universe only as 
they are affected by the spiritual. 

We feel that the forces of nature take their course 
without the interference of the divine principle. We 
feel that no God of love and spiritual order could dis- 

223 



COMMENTS OF THE PRESS 


pense these horrible calamities to mankind, and that 
without rhyme or reason. 

And just as we have grown into the realization that 
the kingdom of God is in the hearts and souls of men— 
in the spiritual part of the universe—so have we come 
to accept these blighting catastrophes as invitations for 
the assertion of the immanent divine, for the out-pouring 
of our compassion, the dispensing of our means to the 
afflicted. We pray that the suffering, the stricken and 
forlorn may not look up to God in wrath or fear, but 
with that trusting, understanding spirit which alone is 
truly receptive of His ministrations. 

God is not manifest in the tempest, but he will be 
manifest in the great wave of human sympathy, of gen¬ 
erous widespread aid that will move on toward the 
stricken cities from every quarter of this land. 

Fire, flood, earthquake and tornado—all the devas¬ 
tating, life-destroying operations of nature have visited 
man since his entry on this globe, and there has been woe 
and suffering as the result of them. But the participa¬ 
tion of unaffected thousands in that woe and suffering, 
the ready proffer of relief even from alien shores, that 
is new—the fruit of the seed that Christ implanted in 
the heart of man, the seed proclaiming God as love and* 
men as brothers. 


A PHANTASMAGORIA OF DISASTER. 
(Milwaukee Evening Wisconsin, March 26 .) 

“One story is good till another is told,” runs an old 
saying which might be travestied to apply to the swiftly 
succeeding disasters of the past few days. One story 

224 



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When the Flooded Districts Were Uncovered Many of the Houses were Found to Be Empty, Thei 

Inmates Having Sought Refuge Elsewhere. 








COMMENTS OF THE PRESS 


seems bad in the uttermost degree of possible evil till 
another is told. Horrors accumulate, and the last are 
worse than the first. When the news of Sunday’s tor¬ 
nado at Omaha came over the wires it froze the blood. 
The destruction of property valued at millions and the 
death-roll approximately two hundred persons was ap¬ 
palling. Only two days have elapsed, and the Omaha 
calamity, sad and serious as it is, has been forced into 
the background of the news by the unprecedented floods 
in the Ohio river and its tributaries. The value of the 
property swept away by these raging waters is beyond 
estimate, but what shocks the imagination is the enor¬ 
mous loss of life. 

All over Ohio and Indiana torrents created by recent 
heavy^rains have caused the water in scores of streams 
to rise so high and so suddenly that hundreds of people 
have been surprised in their homes and drowned like rats 
in a hole. Early attempts to state the loss of life in 
figures necessarily were the merest guesswork. In Day- 
ton, for instance, what the flood had done when last 
night’s dispatches came in was hidden under the blanket 
of the dark. This morning’s daylight, while revealing 
desolate wastes of water where once had been miles of 
prosperous business streets and happy homes, may have 
brought reassurance to souls brimming with the spirit of 
human brotherhood, by showing that the mortality was 
not as great as had been feared. 

Factories surrounded with water are shut down and 
thousands are out of work. In some places plundering 
wretches have necessitated the calling out of troops to 
preserve order. In Dayton as well as many other cities 

225 


COMMENTS OF THE PRESS 


the water service system is wrecked, and there is appre¬ 
hension that drinking the flood water will bring on an 
epidemic. 

The fact that in many instances storms which have 
caused recent disasters were not foretold is arousing 
criticism of the Weather Bureau. It is complained that 
the kind of storms which have come unheralded in the 
West and South during the past few days are the ones 
which the public is most anxious to learn about in ad¬ 
vance, and that while the record after the event may be 
interesting it is only practically valuable to the extent 
that it will assist in enhancing the accuracy of future 
predictions. The Weather Bureau costs too much money 
for the people to be content with results from it which 
are merely abstract and scientific. If they cannot get 
concrete returns they will want to check its expense. 
Undoubtedly its reports have been valuable to mariners 
and fruitgrowers. But there is something that dissatis¬ 
fies the public in frequent failures to give notice of 
violent storms. 


CONDITIONS ARE UNDERESTIMATED. 

(Joliet, Ill., Herald, March 27.) 

To the casual reader, reports thus far received from 
the flooded districts in Ohio are accepted as partially 
colored stories, in which the danger element is over¬ 
played. To them the imminent and later danger follow¬ 
ing the first deluge is over-estimated. To them there is 
not the danger attached to the after-effects that the 
press would have them believe. The appeals of authori- 
226 



COMMENTS OF THE PRESS 


ties for help are accepted with discount. In both opin¬ 
ions they are wrong. 

Taken in their own home town, all are familiar 
with the discomfort caused by a break-down at the power 
houses which leaves the city in darkness. Add to that 
the stopping of the trolley lines. Then demoralize the 
telephone system, sever all connections between fire 
alarm boxes and the fire station, likewise those with the 
police station. Permit no messenger boys on the streets 
and abolish the cabbies and autos for a day. Close all 
grocery stores, markets and supply houses and abandon 
all deliveries from them. Then turn off the city water 
without having given warning that this was to be done. 
Lastly, cut all telegraph wires and permit no trains to 
enter or leave the city. 

Would that cause any inconvenience? Would that 
cause any suffering? Would there be any danger for 
the safety of the people of the town? 

Then add to that the deplorable conditions of a city 
devastated by surging ice water, demolishing homes, 
buildings and killing those in its reach. To its effects 
add the resulting effect of the hours of exposure and 
hunger on the sufferers—the weakened systems that fol¬ 
low making normal resistance to disease impossible and 
an epidemic of typhoid and kindred diseases probable. 

That has been the experience of Kansas City, of 
Galveston, of lower Mississippi river towns and all other 
places suffering from a flood. 

When such conditions are remembered then the won¬ 
der is that any one would discount the sincerity of the 
appeals being made for help and the haste with which 
aid promised is forthcoming. 

22 7 


COMMENTS OF THE PRESS 


UNPRECEDENTED SERIES OF DISASTERS AWES COUNTRY. 

(Milwaukee Journal, March 26.) 

Memory fails to recall such a visitation of storm and 
disaster sweeping over such a wide stretch of the coun¬ 
try as we are witnessing. Day after day has brought 
fresh reports of new ruin and loss of life. Wind, flood 
and fire have visited scores of cities and small towns with 
calamity. Some of them are desolate; from many others 
it is still impossible to obtain accurate information, and 
new stories of havoc are pouring in. 

Beginning on Friday, with a storm on Lake Erie 
and the loss of forty lives, the papers have been filled 
with accounts of nature’s frenzy. Saturday Chicago 
was all but cut off from outside wire connection; Mil¬ 
waukee came near suffering the same fate. Sunday 
seemed to bring relief, but with Monday came the fear¬ 
ful reports of loss by wind storms in Nebraska and In¬ 
diana. Even yet we do not know the loss of life in 
Omaha. But fresh disasters have called our attention 
throughout the central states. 

Stories of loss by flood and wind come in almost 
faster than they can be put in type. One disaster treads 
on another’s heels, and they come from all parts of the 
Mississippi valley. From the fire in Omaha the editor 
would be called by the story of disaster at Delaware, O., 
a little city whose quiet river scarcely affords good boat¬ 
ing in normal times. Then came the breaking of the 
levee at Dayton, with a loss of life which cannot even 
yet be guessed. Then Columbus, then Piqua with the 
breaking of a dam and the reported loss of 540 lives. 
From Ohio attention would suddenly jump to Illinois, 
228 


COMMENTS OF THE PRESS 


where a cyclone had caught a train and wrecked it with 
the loss of fifteen lives; then to St. Louis and the story 
of a great flood there. Meanwhile the losses in Indiana 
were growing hourly, Kentucky suffered from torna¬ 
does, Iowa and Nebraska were visited by new storms and 
fresh destruction. A heroic story came of a telephone 
girl sending in her message that the building across the 
street had just collapsed. 



—Milwaukee, Wis., Journal. 

From eastern Ohio to Nebraska, from the lakes to 
Kentucky, has come one constant over-whelming story 
of tornado, cyclone and flood; of buildings and trains 
wrecked, wire service interrupted, dams breaking and 
a toll of life that cannot now be estimated. Memory 
fails to find a parallel for such universal damage. In a 
mere moment the storm gods unchained have reminded 

229 





COMMENTS OF THE PRESS 


man of his weakness. The careful defenses of years 
have been swept away, and nature has shown herself 
an all powerful ruler. 

There is grandeur in the very horror. The tale of 
destruction is awe-inspiring. Once more we are re¬ 
minded how puny is man and all his works. 


WIND AND RAIN. 

(Memphis Commercial-Express, March 26.) 

Not within the memory of living man has there been 
such widespread destruction by wind and flood and rain 
as during the last week, and the end is not yet. 

Last week there was loss of life in Arkansas, in the 
territory adjacent to Memphis, in Alabama and in Mid¬ 
dle Tennessee. 

Then came the disaster at Omaha. 

Now we have the story of appalling loss of life in 
Indiana and Ohio. 

The map does not encourage a hope for better 
weather. 

There has been a heavy rainfall from the upper 
reaches of the Missouri to the headwaters of the Ohio. 

All this water will come into the Ohio and Missouri 
and finally into the Mississippi. 

So far there has not been a heavy rainfall in the Cum¬ 
berland and the Tennessee valleys. But before this 
paper is read throughout its territory there may be 
enough rain in this region to fill the Cumberland and 
the Tennessee. 

We are going to have a big run of water down the 
Mississippi. 


230 



COMMENTS OF THE PRESS 


There should be a general inspection and tightening 
up at once in order that no damage may result from some 
weak point overlooked. 

The news columns of this paper tell the story of the 
awful loss of life in the northern and western states. 

The sympathy of the people of this Southland goes 
out to the stricken ones in Omaha and in Dayton. 

One is a bustling, buoyant, hopeful city in the west; 
the other is an old town in Ohio—old in years, but young 
in spirit. 

The people of Dayton, though under the shadow of 
Cincinnati, have made it a splendid small city, the site 
of a number of prosperous manufacturing plants. But 
they have not been content with mere business. Dayton 
is a city beautiful. It has splendid schools, parks, fine 
streets. It is a model of neatness and order. 

A city such as Dayton, however, has a life that 
neither storm nor flood can destroy. As soon as the 
waters have left and the dead are buried the work of 
rebuilding will go on. 


FLOODS BRING DEATH AND RUIN. 

(Oshkosh, Wis., Northwestern, March 27.) 

Scarcely had this nation recovered from the shock 
of the disastrous wind storms that caused wreck and 
ruin at Omaha and other points in the central west, than 
it is confronted by a still larger and more serious 
calamity, due to abnormal flood conditions in the Ohio 
valley and adjoining sections. Spring floods in these 
sections are by no means unusual, for scarcely a year 
goes by without more or less experience of this character. 

231 



COMMENTS OF THE PRESS 


But the flood of the present season is the worst that has 
been known for many years, both in extent and the un¬ 
usually high stage of water, and also in the toll taken of 
human lives, as well as in the damage done to property. 

. . . Fortunately, the loyalty and sympathy of 

the American people never fail at such crises, and succor 
and assistance for the flood and storm victims will be 
both prompt and generous. The blow which has fallen 
on the cities and sections will naturally prove discour¬ 
aging and disheartening, but the experience will pass 
and then will begin the work of upbuilding and restor¬ 
ing. The one irretrievable loss is the unfortunate num¬ 
ber of casualties, for the property losses can mostly be 
repaired and restored. And in the deep sorrow which 
has come to those who have lost friends and relatives in 
this calamitous visitation the entire nation will join, 
with heartfelt sympathy and condolences. It is just 
such experiences, in fact, which make the whole world 
kin and renew the universal bond of human brotherhood. 


THE AGE OF HEROISM. 

(Gary, Ind., Tribune.) 

This is the age of steel. It is also the age of heroism. 

Men do not nowadays go out with spear and gaily 
caparisoned horse to seek lady fair and deed of chivalry. 
They stay at home at the store, in the factory, in the 
mill, toiling often into the night to get enough to keep 
the children in school. The street car conductor with 
his wife and two children, stands on the back of his car 
so sick he can hardly stand. He must earn enough to 

232 



COMMENTS OF THE PRESS 


pay the rent. The widow scrubs in the office building 
half the night to keep her children from being sent to 
a home. 

It’s heroism in the closet. No grand-stand work im¬ 
pels this sort of thing. Nobody sees and nobody ap¬ 
plauds. But it is the real stuff of which the heroes of 
tournament, battle and disaster are made. When 
catastrophe comes, the spirit of sacrifice breaks out. It 
is no respecter of persons. The janitor may rise above 
the owner of his skyscraper. And in the flood, fire, 
frost and famine of Dayton another glowing annal in 
the records of the age of heroism will be written. . . 

Each succeeding calamity will add its mite or its 
million to the book of heroes of this age. It is an age 
of heroism because its people are more free to think 
and do than ever mankind was before. The spirit which 
clamors for its rights in law will the more readily give 
up its rights to life. Men will fight for the right to live 
their lives in justice and throw them away at another’s 
call. 

Dayton will take its place among the world’s dis¬ 
asters—and also in that noble role so honored by the 
Titanic, when its tale is told. 


THE HAND OF DESTINY 

(Chicago Examiner, March 30.) 

Seemingly in anger, it reaches from the unknown, 
without warning and without explanation. No knowl¬ 
edge of man can tell him upon what spot of this earth 
the devastating touch next will fall—where Nature’s 
233 



COMMENTS OF THE PRESS 

giant grip shall crush man’s proudest works and squeeze 
life from the breasts of a multitude in a tick or two of 
the clock. 

Those who now escape the clutch can only bow to 
the unseen force and strive to alleviate the suffering it 
has caused; to feed the mouths from which it has 
snatched food; to care for the orphan and comfort the 
widow; to rebuild the home turned to driftwood and to 
retrieve from the elements the remains of the dead— 
then await in the darkness of awful uncertainty its next 
visitation, an inevitable occurrence so long as the world 
shall last. 

Chicago herself has felt the blighting Hand. Its 
scars upon her heart have been a reminder—if one were 
needed—of the sympathy and succor that once flowed 
into her charred gates from the outside world. And it 
is a matter of pride to every Chicagoan that in the fore¬ 
front of the cities, states and nations that have rushed 
to the aid of Ohio and Indiana was Chicago—with a 
full purse slashed wide open. 


A BIG BROTHER NEEDED 

(Chicago Journal, March 27.) 

When six great states are swept by tornado and 
flood, when hundreds of victims are dead and many thou¬ 
sands are homeless because of disasters beyond their 
power to control, it is time for the federal government 
of the United States to act as a big, strong brother to 
those in distress. 


234 



COMMENTS OF THE PRESS 


United States troops will be sent on request to help 
local authorities keep order. The marine hospital ser¬ 
vice, perhaps the finest sanitary organization in the 
world, will be sent to take charge of the health of the 
stricken district if requested to do so. That request 
should be made without delay. The corps that stopped 
plague in San Francisco and yellow fever in New 
Orleans is competent to deal with the situation in the 
flooded towns of Indiana and Ohio. 

But soldiers and sanitarians are not enough. The 
survivors of the worst flood of American history need 
protection and medical care; but their most immediate 
need is for clothing, provisions, fuel and shelter. If 
congress were in session, an appropriation would be 
made on the instant to carry relief to the flood district. 
There should be some way in which this aid can be given 
without waiting for congress. 

Some permanent fund should be created which the 
president can use in emergencies like this whether con¬ 
gress is in session or not. 

The national government ought to mean something 
more than a tax collecting agency and a bulwark against 
foreign aggression. It should provide relief in calam¬ 
ities which, by their very magnitude, get outside the 
jurisdiction of states and the power of private philan¬ 
thropy. 


235 


COMMENTS OF THE PRESS 


SNOW, RAIN AND DISASTER 

(Chicago Evening Post, March 26.) 

Three inches of snow followed by a warm rain caused 
the great disasters in Ohio and Indiana. 

Every spring the creeks and rivers of these rich val¬ 
leys have their freshets. Usually the rush of water is 
held in by the strong dikes which the people have raised 
in their own protection. This year the safeguarding 
embankments have been suddenly overtopped, and there 
has resulted a disaster so widespread that we can but 
begin to guess at its real damage to human life and 
property. 

The suddenness of it all is the most appalling fea¬ 
ture. The city of Dayton has gone along prosperously 
and uneventfully ever since a party of revolutionary 
soldiers laid it out as a town in 1796. The only event 
that breaks its civic history is the opening in 1828 of 
the power canal which now seems to have betrayed it. 
Year after year the Great Miami, Mad and Stillwater 
Rivers and Wolf Creek have had their freshets like 
civilized rivers, poured the overflow into the spillways, 
respected the sanctity of the dikes and subsided. 

Now in a week all this good record is wiped out. 
It has not been a snowy winter. Probably Dayton ex¬ 
pected that the spring floods would be less than usual. 
Then, just before Easter, two or three inches of wet 
snow fell. It turned into rain. Every field and street 

236 


COMMENTS OF THE PRESS 


and house roof over the vast watershed contributed its 
little trickle of melted slush. And the greatest flood in 
Ohio history was born. 


THE FLOOD SUFFERERS 
(Chicago Daily News, March 27.)^ 

Seldom have the people of this nation been more 
profoundly stirred by a disaster than they are now by 
the terrible happenings in Dayton, Peru and many 
other stricken cities in the flood districts of Ohio and 
Indiana. Prosperous communities, where the people 
dwelt in what they supposed to be absolute security, 
have been suddenly turned into centers of peril, starva¬ 
tion and death. The people of these communities are 
our own people, with our outlook on life, our virtues and 
our faults. 

We must all help these people. We almost feel 
that we are suffering with them, they are so near to us 
in kinship and sentiment. Chicago through its city gov¬ 
ernment, its great business organizations and its other 
agencies for good works is responding splendidly to the 
call for help. All other communities near and far are 
giving help according to their means and their oppor¬ 
tunities. 

When the imperiled have been rescued, the hungry 
fed, the sick and injured given proper care, the home¬ 
less provided with shelter and the dead buried, the time 



COMMENTS OF THE PRESS 


will be at hand for this country to consider well the 
needless risks that many communities are taking. 
Floods are not novelties along the rivers in the low, 
rich and populous valleys of the Middle West. It is 
time to protect the cities in those valleys from such dis¬ 
asters as that which now appalls the nation. 

Protective measures wisely applied should be hence¬ 
forth a leading test of Government efficiency in the 
districts subject to floods. Populous cities cannot 
longer afford to lie defenseless in the path of raging 
waters. 





AMOTBSB flood. 


—Detroit, Mich., News. 


238 











CHAPTER XX 


LESSONS OF THE FLOOD 

Among the lessons to be learned from the floods in 
the Ohio valley is that of the folly and danger of denud¬ 
ing our hills of their forest cover. Throughout the 
flooded district, all oyer the Middle West, the axe of the 
lumberman, wielded in the spirit of commercialism that 
disregards the future, has stripped the hillsides and left 
them bare of trees. Scientifically speaking, this has 
deprived the valleys of the district of their greatest 
natural means of protection against flood. 

For many years the doctrine of reforestation has 
been preached by scientific foresters. Men like Gifford 
Pinchot and his associates and successors in the United 
States Forest Service have pointed out the dangers sure 
to follow the denudation of many of our states of their 
protective covering of tree growths. 

But the warning has been laughed at, ridiculed and 
disregarded even though there have been annual floods 
of greater or less extent, distinctly traceable to the lack 
of forest cover on the hills. Little attention has been 
paid by legislators to this important question, and their 
239 


LESSONS OF THE FLOOD 

people are now reaping the reward of the shortsighted¬ 
ness or blindness of their representatives. 

THE NATIONAL FORESTS 

Forests are scientifically regarded as in part a means 
of regulating water flow for irrigation and to this end 
national forests have been established in this country, 
following the example of older civilizations that have 
passed through similar experiences to ours in the matter 
of flood damages. And at this juncture, when death 
and desolation from flood have so recently been the sad 
experience of many communities in the Middle West, it 
is opportune to recall some of the important facts that 
have been given to the public time and time again by the 
Forest Service. The following quotations from recent 
bulletins of the service will, therefore, be read with much 
interest: 

1. “It should be clearly understood that in regions 
of heavy rainfall—for example, on the Pacific slopes in 
Washington, Oregon, Northern California and Alaska, 
national forests are not made for the purpose of regulat¬ 
ing the water flow for irrigation. In these localities 
there is plenty of water to spare. The forests here are 
created and maintained to protect the timber and keep it 
in the people’s hands for their own present and future 
use and to prevent the water from running off suddenly 
in destructive floods.” 


240 



I 


SCENE AT LOGANSPORT, IND. 

Spectators Include Many Driven from Their Homes by the Surging Waters of the Flood. 



















L_ 



Typical Scene on the Miami River, Dayton, Ohio, When Death and Desolation Stalked Hand in Hand. 












LESSONS OF THE FLOOD 


THE FUNCTION OF FORESTS 
2. What forests do, and this no one of experience 
disputes, is to nurse and conserve the rain and snow after 
they have fallen. Water runs down a barren, hard r 
face with a rush, all at once. It runs down a spongy, 
soft surface much more slowly, little by little. A very 
large part of the rain and snow of the arid regions falls 
upon the great mountain ranges. If these were bare of 
soil and vegetation, the waters would rush down to the 
valleys below in floods. But- the forest cover—the trees, 
brush, grass, weeds and vegetable litter—acts like a big 
sponge. It soaks up the water, checks it from rushing 
down all at once, and brings about an even flow during 
the whole season. 

“The forest cover is very important in preventing 
erosion and the washing down of silt. If the slopes were 
bare and the soil unprotected, the waters would carry 
down with them great quantities of soil, gradually filling 
up the resorvoirs and canals and causing immense dam¬ 
age to the great irrigation systems. The government 
engineers who are building these reservoirs and canals 
say that their work will be unsuccessful unless the drain¬ 
age basins at the headwaters of the streams are protected 
by national forests.” 

EARLY RESTRICTIONS BY LAW 
3. “As far back as the sixteenth century there were 
local restrictions in France against clearing mountain 


241 


LESSONS OF THE FLOOD 


sides, enforced by fines, confiscation, and corporal pun¬ 
ishment. In the main these prevented ruinous stripping 
of hillsides, but with the French Revolution these restric¬ 
tions were swept aside and the mountains were cleared 
at such a rate that disastrous effects were felt within ten 
years. By 1803 the people had become aroused to the 
folly of this cutting. Where useful brooks had been 
there now rushed torrents which flooded the fertile fields 
and covered them with sterile soil washed from the 
mountains. The clearing continued unchecked until 
some 800,000 acres of farm land had been ruined or ser¬ 
iously injured, and the population of eighteen depart¬ 
ments had been reduced to poverty and forced to emi¬ 
grate. 

“By 1860 the State took up the problem, but in such 
a way that the burden of expense for reforestation was 
thrown upon the mountaineers, who, moreover, were de¬ 
prived of much pasturage. Complaints naturally arose. 
An attempt was made to check torrents by sodding 
instead of by forest planting. This, however, proved a 
failure, and recourse was again had to planting, by the 
law of 1882, which provides that the State shall bear the 
costs. Since then the excellent results of planting have 
completely changed public sentiment. The moun¬ 
taineers are most eager to have the work go on and are 
ready to offer their land for nothing to the forest depart¬ 
ment. 


242 


LESSONS OF THE FLOOD 


“In France, then, forestry has decreased the danger 
from floods, which threatened to destroy vast areas of 
fertile farms, and in doing so has added many millions 
of dollars to the national wealth in new forests. It has 
removed the danger from sand dunes; and in their place 
has created a property worth many millions of dollars.” 

TRACING THE CAUSE 

The following editorial in the St. Louis Times, 
March 26 , called attention to disregarded warnings of 
danger: 

“Scientific men have been sounding warnings to the 
American people a good many years past, the tenor of 
which has been that the general deforestation of millions 
of acres must inevitably bring about changed and dan¬ 
gerous conditions in the American valleys and lowlands. 

“While the prevailing storms, not unexpected during 
the equinoctial periods every year, may be regarded in 
part as being quite extraordinary, and not to be traced 
to the cutting away of the forests, it is reasonable to 
suppose that changed conditions may have something to 
do with the vastly increased degree of havoc that is being 
wrought. 

“It is reasonable enough to suppose that the removal 
of the forests has given fuller sweep not only to the 
winds but to the waters resulting from heavy rains. Thus 
it may be concluded that an immediate need throughout 
243 


LESSONS OF THE FLOOD 


the whole of the Mississippi Valley is the establishment 
of more reliable channels for the rivers. 

‘‘Local floods are always traceable to the fact that 
the channel of a near-by stream has failed to perform its 
duty; and general floods are merely the accumulation of 
many local disturbances. 

“In the meantime, the evils to be guarded against 
throughout a vast territory in the Mississippi Valley are 
those which always follow a period of flood, after the 
waters have subsided: fevers and other kinds of disease. 

“These may be combated successfully by the liberal 
use of lime or a solution of carbolic acid, and by strict 
attention to the water supply. 

“Ultimately, however, there must be an attack at the 
root of the evil of flood conditions, so far as those condi¬ 
tions are a result of man’s recklessness and thoughtless¬ 
ness.” 

THE CASE FOR REFORESTATION 

The disastrous floods in Ohio and Indiana are a 
terrible reminder of the peril which comes from denud¬ 
ing the country of its forests, said the Chicago Daily 
News, March 27. It is well established that floods in 
river valleys are largely prevented by a heavy forest 
covering along the headwaters of the streams. The 
humus, roots and litter of the forest floor collect and 
hold the moisture in sponge-like fashion. Consequently 
there is better and slower distribution and flow and 


244 


LESSONS OF THE FLOOD 

the destructive influences of the waters are practically 
eliminated. Moreover, snow melts slowly in forests. 

Prof. John Gifford, of Cornell University, an au¬ 
thority on forestry, writes: “Although it is possible for 
floods to occur in regions which are forested, they are 
uncommon, and the damage is usually slight.” He 
points out that it has been demonstrated in Europe that 
forests play an important part in flood prevention. 

To what extent amends might be made in Ohio and 
Indiana for the general destruction of the forests is 
problematical. Aside from the building of levees to 
protect the surrounding lands from overflow, there 
seems to be little other recourse save that of reforesta¬ 
tion. But one great obstacle to this in Ohio is that 
there is practically no waste land. Farms occupy 94 
per cent of the State’s area and over 78 per cent of 
these farm lands are improved. Agriculture is likewise 
Indiana’s main interest. Its farms cover a large part 
of the State’s area and are extremely valuable. The low 
watersheds of these States are raising crops and cannot 
be turned back into forest tracts. 

One of the policies adhered to by the National For¬ 
est Reservation Commission, authorized three years ago 
by the Weeks^law, has been to consider for purchase 
only cheap lands that are practically useless for culti¬ 
vation. Yet the movement for forest conservation and 
the replacing of cutoff forests is being constantly stimu- 
245 


LESSONS OF THE FLOOD 


lated and encouraged, partly because European coun¬ 
tries have found reforestation not only necessary but 
profitable. In 1911, for instance, Prussia’s net income 
from its forests, controlled by the State, was estimated 
at $18,500,000. So it is found that up to 1912 more 
than 2,000 acres of forest land had been planted in 
Massachusetts under the direction of the State forester 
and 1,500 acres by private individuals. Many other 
States are becoming interested in forestry. 

Doubtless the annual recurrence of destructive 
floods will quicken the reforestation movement, though 
almost insuperable obstacles are presented to it in such 
level and fertile regions as those in Ohio and Indiana 
that suffer from disastrous floods. 

THE DISASTER AT DAYTON 

(Philadelphia Telegram, March 26.) 

The calamity at Omaha has been swiftly eclipsed 
by the disaster at Dayton. The West seems to be in the 
grip of a combination of untoward circumstances beyond 
human foresight to have avoided and almost beyond 
human ingenuity to prevent. 

That something must be done on a large scale when 
the waters recede and the wreckage is repaired is evi¬ 
dent. That it will tax the ingenuity of the best engineer¬ 
ing skill we have no shadow of a doubt. 

But it is cheering to remember that the United States 
is fortunate enough to possess a corps of world-beaters 


246 


LESSONS OF THE FLOOD 


in those who built the Panama Canal. These are now 
about to be released from their great task. Will it not 
be the part of wisdom to summon them to the aid of our 
always threatened and now sorely afflicted fellow-citizens 
of the Mississippi Valley? 

THE WESTERN DELUGE 

(Philadelphia Inquirer, March 27.) 

After making all allowances for incomplete informa¬ 
tion and inevitable exaggerations due to excitement it 
is evident that the destruction of life and property in 
the Middle West has reached unparalleled proportions. 
Never before has desolation spread over such a wide 
area. 

In past years there have been many floods with great 
losses, but generally along the Ohio and Mississippi 
banks. Through some culmination of natural forces 
the deluge of rain for days has been along the upper 
reaches of the affluents of these rivers and the damage 
has been caused by the rush of this immense amount of 
water to reach the great rivers through narrow and deep 
natural channels. As a result banks have been over¬ 
flowed, and cities, towns and villages have been damaged 
or destroyed. 

Much of the destruction is due to the fact that the 
States of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois have been almost 
denuded of such forests as originally stood there. No 
impediment is offered to the flow of water and disastrous 

247 


LESSONS OF THE FLOOD 


results follow. But in any event there would have been 
great floods because of the location of the rainstorms as 
noted. The situation was all the worse because in a good 
portion of the inundated region the ground had frozen 
during a recent cold snap. Seven inches of rainfall 
spread over many millions of acres makes a mass that 
is almost inconceivable. 

Although such a disaster may not soon recur because 
the recent combination of circumstances is unusual, it 
seems certain that it must lead to a scientific study of the 
problem of controlling'so far as may be the great water 
courses of the country. It is certain that in a few days 
the lower Mississippi will be flooded once more, and it is 
feared that the loss will be greater than ever before. 
Government engineers have studied the problem a long 
time and have made many recommendations, none of 
which have been put into effect save in a few special 
localities. A commission of experts ought to be put to 
work by congress to undertake one of the greatest con¬ 
servation problems which confronts the nation. 


SAYS FLOODS COULD BE AVOIDED 
A leading Chicago preacher who spoke March 30 on 
the flood situation to the members of his congregation, 
said: 

“The country is willing and anxious to spend money 
for the maintenance of an army and navy, yet it is almost 
248 



LESSONS OF THE FLOOD 


impossible to gain an appropriation for the building of 
dikes and levees. 

“If part of these millions were spent in aiding to tame 
nature a repetition of the Indiana and Ohio disaster 
could be avoided in the future. It is time that the mu¬ 
nicipal, state and federal governments took some action 
toward protecting the lives and property of the citizens.” 

THE OHIO FLOODS. 

(Topeka, Kas., Capital, March 27.) • 

Ohio’s floods are unusually early this year, and the 
most destructive both of life and property ever experi¬ 
enced. No like disaster was ever known in this country 
before, not even the awful Johnstown flood, as the loss 
of so many hundred lives in Dayton caused by sudden 
rise in flood waters and the breaking of levees and dams. 
But Dayton is not the only sufferer, several rivers in 
Ohio as well as in Indiana being out of their banks and 
floods causing enormous losses in many towns. 

Such things are frequently reported from the 
Chinese Empire, but seldom or never from Europe. 
The “old world” in fact is not wealthy enough to be 
able to afford letting things go, or saving immediate ex¬ 
penditure of money in every safeguard and protective 
measure that can be taken, and thus to be faced with the 
danger of severe loss in a critical time. Europe’s cities, 
in short, learned long ago that a dollar spent today in 
permanent works will save a score of dollars from the 
elements, water, fire or disease. On the other hand, it 
is true that in haste to grow and thrive such permanent 
matters have been overlooked in our own country and 
249 


LESSONS OF THE FLOOD 


our cities have, as has often been said, “just growed,” 
These protective measures will in time be taken. Floods 
will be prevented or guarded against. Perhaps flood 
waters will actually be utilized, becoming a blessing in¬ 
stead of a calamity. 

It is the consideration of such problems, and in fact 
all the problems of a rational plan of development and 
growth, that has brought out the project, very common 
among Europe’s cities, and becoming popular here, of 
the so-called Survey. Disastrous floods, imperiling life 
every year or so in a region so thickly settled, rich and 
intelligent as the Ohio or Mississippi valley are not 
creditable to the country. These calamities of nature 
are excusable in the Chinese empire or India, but not 
in the United States. 


LIVING UNDER THE LEVEE. 

(Davenport, Iowa, Democrat, March 26.) 

The floods on the Ohio and its tributaries emphasize 
again the danger to which many cities and immense areas 
of land are exposed by the rising water of American 
rivers. Some districts are endangered by weak .levees, 
incapable of withstanding the strain of extreme flood 
conditions. Others are exposed because of the lack of 
levees. 

The present costly experience will serve to call at¬ 
tention again to a more definite, systematic and liberal 
policy on the part of both the state and federal govern¬ 
ments, for the strengthening of the levee systems of the 
country. Combined with a scientific drainage system, 
this will save thousands of lives and millions of dollars 

250 



LESSONS OF THE FLOOD 


worth of property that are now lost by floods, and add 
immensely to the area of land which the American 
farmer can bring under cultivation. 


CONTROLLING FLOODED RIVERS 
(Chicago Daily News, March 29.) 

In natural sequence to the reports of floods due to 
the overflow from small rivers come warnings of damage 
to be expected along the great rivers to which the lesser 
streams are tributary. With such a volume of water 
rushing toward them, it is not to be expected that the 
Ohio and Mississippi will escape abnormally bad over¬ 
flows this year. Nor is it to be expected that even the 
best efforts of forewarned populations living in districts 
which always feel the worst effects of spring floods will 
prevent loss of life and heavy property damage. 

No concerted and effective effort has been made as 
yet to control these rivers when they run wild. Levee 
systems are inadequate and the temporary makeshifts 
used to keep the rivers to their banks often prove wholly 
insufficient. Since it is known that annual floods of 
greater or less intensity are to be expected, it is in order 
for adequate preventive measures to be taken. But 
who is to do the work and meet the expense ? 

There is unquestionably an important national as¬ 
pect to the matter. Injury done by such floods as those 
of last year from Cairo to the gulf work direct and 
reflex harm to the nation. Further, the waters come 
from forty-one states and furnish a startling illustra- 

251 



LESSONS OF THE FLOOD 


tion of the nation’s past indifference to reforestation 
and the other elements of flood prevention. 

The nation’s responsibility in the matter is recog¬ 
nized in the so-called Newlands bill, which passed the 
senate but was not brought up in the house at the recent 
session of congress. This measure provided for an 
annual appropriation for ten years of $50,000,000 to 
control and standardize the flow of rivers by every feas¬ 
ible means—through storage, through drainage, through 
perpetuation and renewal of forests, through the con¬ 
struction of necessary engineering works. In short, a 
comprehensive plan was proposed in this bill for making 
the great river systems the servants of the people at all 
times instead of cruel masters at flood times. It pro¬ 
vided, further and logically, that financial and other co¬ 
operation of state and local authorities should be sought 
in this constructive work, and that the extent of this 
expenditure should be “at least equal in amount to the 
sum expended by the United States.” Manifestly, the 
federal treasury should not bear all the expense. 

The subject of the use and control of rivers ought 
to be treated in this broad manner. Such treatment is 
advocated by the National Drainage Congress, which 
will soon meet in St. Louis, and it should have behind it 
the force of well developed public opinion. 

That is the view generally expressed over the country 
—that it is time to take the lessons of recurring floods to 
heart and inaugurate scientific plans for their pre¬ 
vention. 

252 


} 



LESSONS OF THE FLOOD 


PLAN TO AVERT FLOODS 

Work toward the prevention of the recurrence of 
such catastrophes as the Ohio and Indiana floods was 
begun in Chicago March 28, by members of the National 
Drainage Congress, folllowing the receipt of a telegram 
from President Wilson. The chief executive, replying 
to an invitation to attend the meeting of the congress 
in St. Louis, April 10-12, agreed with the sentiments 
expressed in the invitation and asserted his hope that the 
deliberations of the drainage assembly would result in a 
plan of prevention. 

The president’s message was as follows: 

“Edmund T. Perkins, Chairman Executive Com¬ 
mittee, National Drainage Congress, Chicago, Ill.: I 
regret that it is impossible for me to attend the sessions 
of the National Drainage Congress. The calamity in 
Ohio and Indiana makes clearer than ever before the 
imperative and immediate necessity for a comprehensive 
and systematic plan for drainage and flood control. I 
very earnestly hope that your deliberations may mark 
a long step forward in this direction. Accept my best 
wishes for a successful meet. “Woodrow Wilson." 

The following reply was wired the president: 

“The President, White House, Washington, D. C.: 
Your message of March 27 received. Recognizing the 
unavoidability of your absence from St. Louis April 10, 
the National Drainage Congress, saddened by the tre- 
253 


LESSONS OF THE FLOOD 


mendous flood disasters now inflicted upon our country, 
and knowing that such catastrophes are needless, accepts 
the responsibility of presenting to the people and the 
Congress of the United States a plan to alleviate and 
prevent the recurrence of loss of life and property.” 


NEED OF WIFELESS 

(Chicago Journal, March 26.) 

The disasters in Ohio and Indiana prove the need of 
a comprehensive system of wireless telegraphy; a system 
that shall be floodproof and tornadoproof, and that will 
make it impossible for any considerable number of peo¬ 
ple or section of country to be cut off from the rest of 
the world. 

Several hundred people are dead in the track of the 
floods. Thousands are marooned on hillocks or house¬ 
tops ; shelterless, fireless and hungry. Their friends can 
get no word of comfort to them, and they can get no call 
for help to their friends. Suspense caused by lack of 
communication doubles the agony of the disaster. 

If this terrible experience ever is repeated, it should 
find the country prepared. The United States weather 
bureau could use a wireless system very handily in its 
daily work. The war department would need such a 
system in case of war. Unless private enterprise installs, 
wireless as a commercial enterprise, government should 
do so as emergency provision against disaster. 

254 



CHAPTER XXI 


THE OMAHA TORNADO 

Graphic Description of the Destructive Storm 
That Devastated the Nebraska City 
on Easter Sunday. 

Death and destruction unparalleled in the history 
of Omaha, and a property loss even exceeding that of 
the St. Louis disaster of 1896, traveled with a terrific 
tornado which mowed a wide and grewsome path 
through the big Nebraska city late on the afternoon of 
Sunday, March 23, 1913. 

A balmy spring day, typical in its fleeting glimpses 
of the sun and threatening of showers, developed into a 
driving rain storm and then, in a twinkling of an eye, 
into a devastating monster of annihilation. And as 
the dead were carried to the morgues, and the maimed 
moaned from the wreckage, and the yellow skies glowed 
with the carmine reflection of hundreds of burned 
homes, it was recalled that it was Easter Sunday! 

Cyclonic conditions, unknown to all, prevailed over 
the Missouri valley during the day, and a gigantic 
255 


THE OMAHA TORNADO 

twister suddenly appeared, at 5:45 o’clock, as a mani¬ 
festation of this disturbance. 

The wind demon came careering over the prairies 
from the southwest and drove a diagonal course through 
the residence district to the northeast, finally crossing the 
river near the Illinois Central bridge and wreaking its 
half-spent fury on the city of Council Bluffs. 

In its wake was left a death list of 115 in Pmaha 
alone, nearly 2,000 ruined homes and a total monetary 
loss of over $8,000,000 in the metropolis. 

Before and after blazing its horrid trail through 
Omaha, the roaring fiend reaped a grim harvest of lives 
and property in the outlying districts of Nebraska and 
Iowa, but it was in Omaha that its awful power was felt 
most keenly. 

The huge, fashionable residences of the denizens of 
West Farnam hill suffered alike with the simple 
cottages of West Side and the substantial homes of 
Bemis Park and northern Omaha. Great industries 
saw their buildings collapse like cardboard creations of 
childhood, traffic companies saw their well-oiled systems 
tied up completely; municipal fire and police depart¬ 
ments were made to realize an absolute and humiliating 
helplessness. United States troops and the Nebraska 
National Guard companies of Omaha, called into ser¬ 
vice in this incomprehensible disaster, found themselves 
all too few. 


256 


THE OMAHA TORNADO 


WAS THOUGHT TORNADO-PROOF 

Omaha had long been regarded as tornado-proof, 
on account of its barricade of surrounding hills, but 
this imaginary protection was swiftly proven a flimsy 
fabric indeed. The twister, reaping a harvest over half 
a mile wide, swept over the hilltops and down the val¬ 
leys with the neat and deadly precision of some omnipo¬ 
tent mowing machine. In its ghastly path nothing 
escaped. That the carefully checked list of dead was 
not already much larger is inexplicable. The oblitera¬ 
tion, complete and incomprehensible, of whole blocks 
of residences furnishes ocular proof of the irresistible 
force of the mighty, whirling gale. 

The business section escaped almost intact, but the 
prized and boasted residence section of the city became, 
for the most part, but a dismal reminder of what has 
been. Streets and boulevards were so enmeshed in 
wreckage that travel, even on foot, was practically im¬ 
possible, while street car and telephone service was, for 
two days, almost nil. Automobiles and other vehicles 
were likewise nearly helpless and the great metropolis 
did not realize for several days the full extent of the 
disaster which had fallen upon it. 

The great tornado entered Omaha near Fifty-first 
and Center streets, struck the crest of Farnam hill near 
Thirty-ninth street, plowed on to Sixteenth and Man- 


257 


THE OMAHA TORNADO 


derson street, thence east across the Missouri and then 
turned south into Council Bluffs. 

Scenes of desolation and horror followed the wind 
monster into the city. The tornado, when first noticed, 
seemed to be forming southwest of Ralston, and came 
seething over the Lane cut-off just west of the point 
where the Northwestern Black Hills line passes under¬ 
neath. It carried the complete roof of some big barn 
or residence, which flapped wildly, like a gigantic and 
grewsome crow. 

It swept down the valley of the Little Papillion 
creek, and suddenly bent to the east, passing directly 
along the right of way of the Missouri Pacific railroad, 
striking West Lawn cemetery and cutting a wide swath 
between Concordia Park and the city limits. Death 
and destruction lurked in its wake. 

SOME PERSONAL EXPERIENCES 

A party of four Omaha business men was returning 
from a “hike” to Millard on the Center street road, and 
the five were caught directly in the path of the tornado. 
They saved themselves by leaping into the muddy 
creekbed of the Little Papillion and clinging to the 
roots of the laboring trees. In the party was Robert 
D. Neely and Charles McLaughlin, of the law firm of 
Neely & McLaughlin; H. F. Neely, of the Equitable 
Life Insurance Company, and William Marsh. 


258 


THE OMAHA TORNADO 


This party followed the path of the storm along the 
Missouri Pacific track to Forty-eighth and Leaven¬ 
worth streets. No sooner had the twister raged onward 
into the distance than the rain developed into a terrific 
downpour, accompanied by hail, and then sleet. The 
first idea of the damage that had been done came with 
the dull, crimson spots of fire which broke out, one after 
another, all over the horizon along the wake. 

A MODERN PAUL REVERE 

A slender farmer boy, his face streaming with blood, 
came galloping down the pike astride a winded, un¬ 
saddled horse. He stopped at a tavern at Concordia 
Park. 

“Father is in the ruins and the house is on fire!” 
he sobbed. “Can you get Omaha on the telephone? I 
want the fire department! I want the fire department 
and some men with axes!” 

He was assured that the telephone service had been 
temporarily destroyed. He again mounted his horse 
and galloped off toward the city. Over the turmoil of 
the rain, wind and sleet came the echo of his crazed 
laugh. He would not even say who he was nor where 
the ruins of his wrecked home were pinning the body 
of his father to a fiery death. 

Mrs. Henry Olson, hysterically weeping, dragged 
herself into the tavern a few minutes later and merely 
pointed through the driving storm to a glow which was 
259 


THE OMAHA TORNADO 


spelling ruin for herself and home. She was a widow 
and lost everything. She cannot say how she escaped! 
Her cottage was close to the entrance to West Lawn 
cemetery and she was veritably blown out of it. 

Telegraph and telephone poles fell across Center 
street and the network of wires made rescue work im¬ 
possible. House after house burst into flames, having 
been turned over upon the stoves within. Twenty min¬ 
utes after the tornado had passed the party counted 
seventeen different fires, besides the complete conflagra¬ 
tion at West Side and in Omaha. These were the dis¬ 
appearing domiciles of poor people, or, at least, people 
in very moderate circumstances. Besides these the 
valley was completely stripped by the wind. The tracks 
and roads were covered with debris. 

SCENES ON THE WEST SIDE 

Shrieks and cries and moans came from every direc¬ 
tion along the Missouri Pacific from Center to Leaven¬ 
worth streets, but rescue work was almost impossible. 
Hysterical men and women were responsible for much 
of this awful clamor and seemed unable to tell what they 
wished done or to express the slightest desire for aid. 

A man named Kreidmer, a foreigner, unable to 
speak but a few words of English, came staggering, 
stumbling down a hillside in the storm, and by the fitful 
glare of the lightning the party saw that he was coming 
from his house, which was tipped from its foundation. 

260 


THE OMAHA TORNADO 


The cottage had the rakish, debonaire tilt of a new hat 
on the head of a drunken man. Kreidmer lives—or 
lived—at Forty-ninth and William streets—and his 
wife and two babies were gone. The party explored the 
damaged residence, but no trace of the missing was 
found. Kreidmer had just built the house and was un¬ 
acquainted in the neighborhood. He had no idea where 
his family had gone, having been away when the tornado 
struck. The man was crazed with grief, and threw him¬ 
self into the mire and muck alongside the track. He 
could not be consoled. 

Between Poppleton avenue and Leavenworth street 
there was a long string of heavily laden coal cars stand¬ 
ing on a siding. Against these had been crushed at least 
half a dozen houses which had previously stood on the 
slope to the west. The wreck was complete and the 
stoves had started a long string of fires, which seemed, 
from a distance, like a sort of magnificent decorative 
scheme. The flames ate rapidly into the coal, which 
burned for several days. 

In this wreckage was every article of the household 
badly exposed to view. A splinter, apparently torn 
from the side of one of the houses, was driven into the 
side of one of the coal cars so compactly that it could 
not be even moved. 

That portion of Omaha known as West Side was al¬ 
most completely ruined and wrecked by the storm. 

261 


THE OMAHA TORNADO 


What few residences and store buildings were not 
smashed by the twister were burned by the long series of 
fires which ensued. Many were killed and injured. 

AN EMERGENCY HOSPITAL 

The West Side station of the Missouri Pacific and 
the switch shanty nearby were turned into emergency 
relief stations and were crowded with the injured. A 
druggist applied such first aid as he could supply and 
an effort was made to secure a relief train from the 
railroad, but the fact that the roundhouse in North 
Omaha had been destroyed made this almost impossible. 
An engine and car finally got through after a few hours 
and brought doctors and clothing. 

Pitiful tales were told by the silent crowd of ref¬ 
ugees in the section house. 

L. F. Stover, 4952 Poppleton avenue, employed in 
the wall paper department of Hayden Bros.’ stores, 
returned to his home to find that it had completely dis¬ 
appeared and his wife and three babies gone. They 
were later found, injured, at the county hospital. 

C. E. Walsh, 1314 South Forty-eighth street, was 
carrying his baby boy and escorting his wife toward 
their home from the street car when struck by the storm. 
All three were rolled and blown nearly three blocks and 
were severely cut and bruised. 

John Hanson, a car sweeper living at Forty-eighth 
and Maberry avenue, was killed in the wreck of his 


262 


THE OMAHA TORNADO 

home and the body of his wife was found in the burned 
ruins. 

Fred Nash, 4535 Leavenworth street, with his wife 
and three children, were buried in the wreckage of their 
home when the tornado hit it. Irwin, a 3-year-old boy, 
was badly hurt, but a month-old baby was taken from 
the mass of splinters unhurt. 

HOUSES TOTALLY DESTROYED 

At Forty-eighth and Pacific streets the storm was 
particularly violent and the damage severe. Twelve 
houses, largely owned by those who occupied them, 
were totally destroyed, first wrecked by the wind and 
then consumed with most of their contents, by fires 
started from stoves. Eight of the occupants were killed 
outright and a score injured, more or less seriously. 

The tornado missed the county hospital, but all the 
barns and sheds connected with the institution were de¬ 
stroyed. Eight cows in one of the barns were rescued 
from the debris with much difficulty. 

Two large chimneys on the Columbia school build¬ 
ing were toppled over and crashed through the roof of 
the structure. 

A street car was turned over at Forty-eighth and 
Leavenworth streets. When the motorman saw the 
tornado coming he jumped and ran, but L. F. Stover, 
who was on the car, tried to operate it and ran it into 
a cut across the railroad tracks and farther up the hill. 


263 


THE OMAHA TORNADO 


The twister struck before he could do so, however, and 
he was painfully cut by the flying glass and splinters. 
A baby was killed in his father’s arms in this car. 

Charles Clavier, 4669 Leavenworth street, was at 
dinner with his wife and 18-year-old daughter when his 
house was blown down about his ears. They all crawled 
from the wreckage badly bruised. 

Ambulances could not reach this badly smitten dis¬ 
trict for a long time because of the fallen poles and net¬ 
work of wires. 

Those whose homes were not injured did all in their 
power to relieve those left destitute, but the work was 
slow% because of the absence of all telephonic communi¬ 
cation. 


OMAHA, NEB. 

Omaha, Neb., the largest city of Nebraska, capital 
of Douglas County, is on the Missouri, which is crossed 
by a railroad bridge 2,750 feet long. The city is built on 
a plain 80 feet above the river, which rises gradually into 
bluffs. The business section is on the level portion,- 
while the bluffs are occupied by tasteful homes. The 
city hall, United States courthouse, Omaha Bee build¬ 
ing, New York Life Insurance Company’s building, 
Boyd’s Theater, St. Joseph’s Hospital, chamber of com¬ 
merce, state asylum for the deaf, Creighton College, a 
medical college and over 100 churches are among its 


264 



THE OMAHA TORNADO 


prominent buildings. The Bee is the most important 
newspaper published between San Francisco and Chi' 
cago. Omaha ranks with Chicago and Kansas City as 
a live-stock market, having immense stockyards, which 
cover over 200 acres, and large beef and pork-packing 
establishments, being the third city in the United States 
in the value of its pork-products. The manufactures 
include linseed oil, boilers, safes, bags, soap and beer. 
The largest silver smelting works in the world, using 
one-fourth of the silver ore mined in the United States, 
are at Omaha. The military department of the Platte, 
covering 82^4 acres, with fine barracks, is near the city. 
The public schools are maintained at an annual cost 
of $1,500,000; the buildings consist of 49 grade schools 
and one high school; besides, the city has a public library, 
Creighton College two, the Y. M. C. A. one (and six 
other libraries belong to fraternal societies) and a fine 
art gallery. Fourteen trunk lines enter the city, and 
there are two magnificent stations. Omaha was founded 
in 1854, and rapidly became one of the leading western 
cities. Population 124,096. 


265 


THE OMAHA TORNADO 


THE TOLL OF 

EASTER DAY IN 

OMAHA 

AND VICINITY. 

The Terrible Tale of America’s Worst Tornado. 

Omaha and Environs. 

Property 


Dead. 

Injured. 

Loss. 

Omaha . 

..115 

352 

#5,000,000 

Council Bluffs . 


15 

300,000 

Ralston. 


20 

250,000 

Totals . 

Nebraska. 

387 

#5,550,000 

Yutan .. 

. 18 

21 

# 300,000 

Berlin . 

. 7 

17 

350,000 

Mead . 


2 

50,000 

Rock Bluffs ... 


1 

10,000 

Fremont . 


2* 

1,500 

Bennington .. .. 


7 

5,000 

De Soto . 


10 

6,000 

1,250 

Valley . 


6 

Plattsmouth . .. 


1 

1,000 

Nehawka . 


12 

5,000 

Waterloo . 


6 

2,500 

Greenwood . ... 


4 

1,500 

Tekamah . 


2 

1,000 

Craig .. 


2 

2,500 


Total, Nebraska. 3 7 93 # 73 7,250 

Iowa. 


Glenwood . 


12 

# 

125,000 

Woodbine . 


8 


300,000 

Beebertown . 


10 


125,000 

Gilliat . 


5 


75,000 

Weston. 


11 


100,000 

Neola . 


4 


50,000 

Total, Iowa .... 


50 

$ 

775,000 

Grand total . .. 


510 

#7,062,250 


Homes destroyed in Omaha. ...... ..., 642 

Homes wrecked in Omaha.i... 1,669 

Persons left homeless in Omaha.. .6,834 


266 




































CHAPTER XXII 


IN THE STORM’S PATH 

In bringing to Omaha the unenviable distinction of 
being the scene of the most disastrous tornado in the 
history of the United States, not even excepting that of 
St. Louis over a decade ago, Easter’s big twister plainly 
marked its path, the width of which may be measured 
in feet and inches. Great residences and buildings were 
cut so cleanly in two that a mathematician might employ 
the calipers in aligning the exact, razor edge of the 
storm. 

As far as can be ascertained, the twister started upon 
its career of horror somewhere in Cass county, wiping 
out the town of Yutan, and then striking through Wa¬ 
terloo and Ralston. Its zig-zag course was baffling, and 
many towns reported losses which indicate that the 
main stem of the tornado was constantly giving off 
smaller twisters which acted as flankers with the deadly 
intent of making a clean sweep over the outlying terri¬ 
tory. Gretna and Union and Berlin felt the force of 
the wind, but the chief disaster lay in the path of the 
big, wide, all-powerful cloud which entered Omaha al¬ 
most exactly at the city limits on Center street. 


267 


IN THE STORM’S PATH 


AT THE START OF THE STORM 

The eastern boundary of the death-strewn course 
at this point seemed to be the county hospital and poor 
farm. Although the main building, with its hundreds 
of helpless inmates, was happily spared, all of the barns 
and outhouses of various sorts were swept clean. Am¬ 
bitious golfers on the Field club links and on the ver¬ 
andas of the club house saw the work of devastation in 
progress. The western boundary lay along the Falls 
City branch of the Missouri Pacific until Forty-eighth 
and Leavenworth streets was reached, when the tornado 
seemed to swerve still more to the northeast, storming 
up the acclivity to the fashionable Farnam hill residence 
district. At this point the path was about five blocks 
in width and nothing but ruin was left within its con¬ 
fines. Forty-first street and Thirty-eighth street seemed 
the lines of demarkation at Dodge street. 

But a minor twister detached itself from th^ main 
body in going over this hill and swept for several blocks 
down the draw along the Belt Line toward Walnut 
Hill. Luckily there were few houses or buildings along 
this path, and but comparatively little damage was 
done, the little tornado drawing itself into the sky before 
the densely populated district in Walnut Hill was 
reached. 

The trail of the storm struck Farnam about Fortieth 
street, and ran northeast through Bemis Park just east 


268 


IN THE STORM'S PATH 


of the Methodist hospital, which was untouched. The 
big garage of the Packard Company at Fortieth was the 
first total wreck, with debris of broken machines and 
brick walls. West of Fortieth in the valley a few 
houses were wrecked and south on Fortieth as far as the 
neighborhood of the St. Cecilia cathedral, which was 
practically untouched, fine residences were wrecked on 
both sides of the street, including Dr. A. B. Somers,’ 
the Barnes drug store and Judge Slabaugh’s residence. 

WRECKAGE LEFT BEHIND 

Thirty-ninth street was full of wrecked houses from 
Farnam to Mr. Joslyn’s $100,000 home, which had 
stones knocked out, windows wrecked, roof partially 
off and garage quite badly wrecked. Most of the houses 
on Thirty-ninth were badly wrecked to that point. 
Steering northeast, the trail struck Thirty-eighth street, 
where from Dodge north to Webster street the big man¬ 
sions were in various degrees of ruin. Saunders school, 
in the valley west of Fortieth, had a great hole in the 
roof and windows out. Sacred Heart convent was 
quite badly damaged, part of the roof off, walls shaken 
and windows out. From about Thirty-seventh on Burt 
street east to Thirty-fourth the wreck was terrible. 
Homes of W. F. Baxter and T. B. Norris were piles 
of kindling. Houses were cut in two, with beds ex¬ 
posed in upper stories and debris dumped into the 
street. The trail crossed Cuming about Thirty-sixth. 


269 


IN THE STORM'S PATH 


While the hospital was not damaged, the home of J. 
H. Rushton, just a little east of north, was skinned in 
front, leaving the walls standing. It struck Lincoln 
boulevard about Thirty-fifth street, at the Dresher 
house, and from there east there was a total wreck of 
houses clear out of the park district. On Hawthorne 
it struck just west of Thirty-fourth at the home of W. 
A. Case, knocking out all windows and damaging his 
home and that of J. C. Buffington, but the fury of the 
storm leveled the houses from the boulevard north on 
Thirty-fourth street to Lincoln and Myrtle avenues, 
where much damage was done. Lafayette avenue, on 
the hill, was untouched, the storm following the valley. 
Then it lifted to the northeast. 

Passing almost directly northward along the crest 
of the hill, which is known as Omaha’s best home prop¬ 
erty, the tornado entered the Bemis park district, and 
left that beautiful section an awe-inspiring conglomera¬ 
tion of wreckage. At this point the path was about two 
blocks wide and proceeded directly northeast to Twen¬ 
ty-fourth and Burdette streets, traveling east of Thirty- 
third. It followed the contour of the hill, and Burdette 
was practically the south boundary of the destruction 
on Twenty-fourth. From thence the storm sped north 
and east of Twenty-fourth, through Kountz place, across 
Twenty-fourth and Lake streets, where many lives were 
lost, and thence diagonally to Sherman avenue. 


270 


IN THE STORM’S PATH 


WRECKED A ROUNDHOUSE 

In crossing Sherman avenue the path extended from 
Binney street on the south to Emmet street on the 
north, and scarcely anything was left intact. Striking 
over the bluffs into the railroad yards, the tornado de- 
vasted the Missouri Pacific roundhouse, wreaked its 
fury on the rolling stock and then seethed across Carter 
Lake and the East Omaha bottoms. 

A terrible, but beautiful spectacle accompanied the 
crossing of the lake, when the twister sucked the water 
high into the air, a real water spout. The cottages 
along the lake were mostly destroyed, the Illinois Cen¬ 
tral trestle obliterated and scores of store buildings 
wrecked. At this point the width of the path is said 
to have been nearly half a mile wide. 

Crossing the Missouri river, the twister struck the 
bluffs and seemed to turn southward. That this was the 
case is evident from the damage done in the city of 
Council Bluffs, which reports that the storm came from 
the north. 

At the same time another outrider of the main body 
of the tornado was crossing the river in Sarpy county, 
hitting up the Mosquito creek through Lake Manawa 
and the scattering residences and farms thereabouts. 
Another waterspout was noted on Manawa. This com¬ 
paratively small twister disappeared after this work of 
destruction. 


271 


IN THE STORM’S PATH 


Other twisters were reported all up and down the 
Missouri and Platte river valleys, indicating the scope 
of the cyclonic conditions. 



—Chicago Tribune. 


272 









CHAPTER XXIII 


WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAW 

When the belated news of the disaster at Omaha 
reached the executive mansion of Governor J. H. More- 
head at Lincoln late in the evening, a special train was 
immediately chartered and rushed across the prairies 
to the stricken city, accompanied by Adjutant General 
Phil Hall of the Nebraska National Guard, Repre¬ 
sentative E. D. Mallory, and Nels Updike of Omaha, 
with others who went at the urgent request of Mayor 
James C. Dahlman, who was among the first to realize 
the extent of the damage done in the city. 

Accompanied by Mayor Dahlman, H. W. Dunn, 
chief of police, and a score of newspaper representatives, 
the governor’s party left the Paxton Hotel in autos 
shortly after 5 o’clock Monday morning. 

Just as day was breaking the party reached Forty- 
second and Leavenworth streets. South of this place 
the storm started on its trip of death and destruction 
across the town. From this point the party traversed 
the entire wasted district. 

“It’s awful; awful!” Governor Morehead remarked 
before the trip was thirty minutes old. 

273 


WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAW 


GOVERNOR CONSOLES BEREAVED 

Leaving his motor car the governor walked down 
through the streets, choked with debris, and in dozens of 
places went into the wrecked homes and personally con¬ 
soled the bereaved and distracted men and women. 
Governor Morehead’s presence seemed to bring a feel¬ 
ing of relief. The afflicted citizens realized that the 
state’s executive was there to aid them in every way 
possible. 

Down toward Fortieth and Farnam the party pro¬ 
ceeded. Here was a scene of chaos. Again the gov¬ 
ernor got out of his car and personally inspected the 
ruins. 

In this fashionable residence section of the city, 
where many of the town’s richest men and women live, 
there was scarcely a home left intact. Business blocks 
were razed as if with an explosive. Great ten and 
twelve-room houses were askew on their foundations 
and others had been swept clear of their fastenings. 

Down Fortieth street the motor cars proceeded, 
oftentimes being unable to progress till the roadway 
had been freed of debris. Homes where men and 
women had been rescued by policemen and firemen were 
pointed out, and Governor Morehead stopped more 
than once to personally commend some of the officers 
and fire fighters who had been constantly on duty 
through the night. 


'274 


WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAW 

“JOSLYN CASTLE” WRECKED 

Up toward the Joslyn “castle” the party made its 
way. Here still was desolation and waste. This beauti¬ 
ful and pretentious Joslyn estate was greatly damaged. 
The roof of the big stone house had been twisted off in 
places, windows were broken out, parts of the walls were 
torn away and the place presented a general appearance 
of ruin. 

Over toward the Bemis park district the party made 
its way. This beautiful section of Omaha had been com¬ 
pletely ruined. The pretty homes that adorned the 
graceful winding driveways were beyond redemption. 
The trees had been broken off short at the base, and 
many of them were even uprooted. One great home 
had been turned turtle onto the roof of the house 
adjoining it on the east. 

The Convent of the Sacred Heart, not so very far 
from the Bemis park district, was badly damaged by 
the tornado. One entire section of the big building had 
been razed, and it was possible to see through the in¬ 
terior of the building from the street. 

WONDERS SO MANY ESCAPED 

Governor Morehead was keenly interested in every¬ 
thing he saw. 

“It’s miraculous how so many, many men and 


275 


WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAW 


women escaped with their lives,” said he. “I cannot 
conceive how a storm so disastrous permitted a single 
person to live. It doesn’t apear possible to me that any¬ 
one went through this awful thing and lived.” 

The party then went down through the Twenty- 
fourth street district. Here, if possible, the destruction 
was found to be greater than in the territory further 
south and west. In this congested district, where hun¬ 
dreds of the poorer families lived, in buildings closely 
adjoining each other,, everything within view of the 
eye was in waste. 

The automobiles were brought to a stop at Thirty- 
first and Hamilton streets. On the corner there A. E. 
Nelson conducted a little grocery store. All that was 
left to mark the site of the place was a great heap of 
bricks and broken timber. The bodies of two horses 
owned by Nelson could be seen in the ruins. 

It was here that C. P. Weisen met his death. Nel¬ 
son was within a few inches of Weisen’s body when it 
was extricated. Nelson’s head was severely cut and 
bruised. His father, Charles Nelson, received critical 
injuries in the wreck. 

When the machines had progressed as far as it was 
possible north on Twenty-fourth street they were 
abandoned and the party made their way toward Lake 
street on foot. Climbing over telephone and telegraph 
poles, Governor Morehead led the sight-seers. 

2 76 


WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAW 


At Twenty-fourth and Grant streets the site of the 
Idlewild, a negro pool hall, was shown to the governor. 
Here, he was told, Willis C. Crosby, county coroner, 
rescued three negroes, but was driven back by fire and 
had to watch a fourth while he was slowly incinerated. 
In the ruins of this building twenty other bodies were 
found. 

On the corner of Twenty-fourth and Lake streets, 
where there had been a two-story frame building—a 
saloon on the ground floor and living apartments over¬ 
head—there was but the ramshackle ruins of something 
that resembled a tumbledown squatter’s shanty. Two 
men, who had lived there, were trying to locate some 
wearing apparel in the debris. 

Farther out on Twenty-fourth street the same scenes 
caught the eye. Now and then the stern command of 
a soldier could be heard, and some person who had no 
business within the stricken field could be seen slinking 
away. 

SCENE OF DEATH OF FOUR 

At Twentieth and Ohio streets, where Clifford 
Daniels, a letter carrier, his wife and two small children 
met death, Governor Morehead stood for a long time 
and gazed at the ruins. 

“I presume they did what they could to save their 
lives, but fate was against them,” he said. 

When someone told him that an 18-year-old boy of 


2 77 


WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAW 


the family escaped because he was not at home, the gov¬ 
ernor shook his head slowly, and said: 

“I would not be surprised if he was to lose his rea¬ 
son.” 

On and on through the tornado’s path the governor 
and his party went. Everywhere, just as far as could 
be seen in any direction, there was devastation. Finally 
Governor Morehead said: 

“I can’t stand any more; let’s go back to the hotel. 
I have seen more destruction this morning than I be¬ 
lieved possible. Omaha has received a terrific blow, but 
I am sure the citizens of this city will see to it that the 
wasted territory is immediately rebuilt. 

“The loss of life is to be regretted, certainly, but 
everyone should be thankful that it is no greater. Had 
this storm swept across here at midnight, when every¬ 
one would have been sleeping, the death list would have 
been appalling. I am very grateful that no more lives 
were lost.” 


CHAPTER XXIV 
THE WORK OF RELIEF 

Immediately after the storm, and before half of the 
population of Omaha was even aware of the fact that a 
tornado had visited the city, three companies of the 
United States Army signal corps from Fort Omaha, 
under the command of Major Hartmann, were called 
to patrol the wrecked district. Local police and fire¬ 
men with reserves of both branches were called to the 
scene of the disaster. Telegraph and telephone service 
being prostrated, the first news of the catastrophes to 
the outside world was rushed by T. R. Porter, a news¬ 
paper correspondent at Omaha, from the wireless sta¬ 
tion at Fort Omaha to Fort Riley, where the news was 
telegraphed all over the United States. When, shortly 
after midnight Sunday night, communication was estab¬ 
lished with Lincoln, Governor Morehead called out the 
militia to aid in protecting the persons and property of 
the unfortunates in the storm belt, and came to Omaha 
at once on a special train. Military rule was established 
over the entire district. 


279 


THE WORK OF RELIEF 


SIX RELIEF DISTRICTS 

Under the direction of Mayor James C. Dahlman, 
the storm zone through the city was divided into six re¬ 
lief districts, the work of directly supervising the work 
of aiding the sufferers being placed under a responsible 
business man in each instance. Headquarters of a Cit¬ 
izen Relief committee in charge of the active work was 
established in the council chamber at the city hall, where 
contributions of money, clothing, groceries, furniture, 
medicines, bandages, and offers to house storm sufferers 
were received. Hundreds of cots and blankets were 
sent to the Auditorium, where Capt. F. G. Stritzinger, 
of the United States Army, who aided at Frisco after 
the earthquake, was in charge, and throngs of people 
slept there nightly. Cooking stoves were erected there, 
and immense supplies of necessities were provided, so 
that the multitude of victims of the storm might be fed 
and sheltered in the days and nights of severe weather 
that followed the storm. Women taken there in hardly 
enough clothing to be respectable, went away with arms 
laden with underwear and bedding, not only for them¬ 
selves but often for some unfortunate neighbor who 
was not even able to make the trip to the supply stations 
which were established in each relief district. The auto¬ 
mobiles of society folk mingled with the wagons of poor 
expressmen who had volunteered to deliver aid to the 
needy, and a physician was kept at each of the six relief 
stations both day and night. The public schools were 
280 


THE WORK OF RELIEF 


dismissed and teachers who were familiar with the dif¬ 
ferent sections of the city were sent out by the school 
board to search out the homes of those who were in dis¬ 
tress, but in many cases who were too proud to apply 
for public relief at the stations which were crowded 
during both day and night. 

RESCUE PROVES DIFFICULT 

Immediately after the storm, with the streets strewn 
with the remnants of a thousand homes, several thou¬ 
sand telephone, telegraph and electric light poles, it was 
with difficulty that the little parties of searchers with 
axes and in many instances without lanterns, went from 
ruin to ruin, calling repeatedly, and in many instances 
getting but a faint reply from the victims buried feet 
below the wreckage of their homes. Danger from the 
live wires which spurted wicked streams of blue flame 
from time to time along the littered streets impeded 
the progress of the rescue parties, while the deadly 
fumes of escaping gas from thousands of bursted pipes 
hastened relief to the pinioned sufferers beneath the 
tons of masonry and wreckage. Into hundreds of base¬ 
ments water poured through the newly found openings 
of torn and wrenched plumbing, while from the inky 
darkness which covered the sky, from horizon to horizon, 
torrents of rain poured down on the blazing ruins of 
homes which strewed the pathway of the tornado, 
drenching the half-dressed wounded survivors of the 
catastrophe. 


281 


THE WORK OF RELIEF 

STATEMENT BY COMMERCIAL CLUB 

The Commercial Club of Omaha gave out a state¬ 
ment regarding loss of life and damage to property in 
the tornado. This was done in order to allay appre¬ 
hension among the relatives and friends of the citizens 
of Omaha and to put before the country the actual facts, 
to take the place of the first meager reports that went 
out through various channels. 

Telegrams of sympathy conveying offers of help 
poured in to the Commercial Club and to the mayor 
of the city. These were acknowledged and reply made 
that while the business men of Omaha appreciated the 
sympathy and generous offers of outside assistance, 
it was believed that Omaha could, for the time being, 
take care of the situation. The property loss, both real 
and personal, was first estimated at $5,000,000. 

The statement by the Commercial Club was as fol¬ 
lows: 

“The tornado passed through the residential portion 
of the city from the southwest to northeast, traversing 
the wealthier section as well as that occupied by those 
in comfortable circumstances and the poorer classes. 
The path of the tornado was of a width averaging a 
quarter of a mile and five or six miles long. Fire broke 
out in the wreckage in twenty instances, and in spite of 
the difficulties confronting the fire department, espe¬ 
cially in going from one fire to another through debris, 


282 


THE WORK OF RELIEF 


all of these were put out within a couple of hours. All 
injured persons were taken from the ruins and attended 
to during the night. The number injured is 322. Those 
killed number 139. These have all been taken from the 
ruins with the possible exception of nine who are miss¬ 
ing, and have been attended to. This includes Omaha 
suburbs, as well as Omaha proper. 

“Immediately following the disaster, under the di¬ 
rection of Mayor James C. Dahlman and operating 
through the police and fire departments, assistance was 
given wherever needed. Before any disorder or any 
looting could be attempted the federal troops from Fort 
Omaha, under Major C. F. Hartmann, were in charge 
of the situation, which was completely under control 
before daybreak Monday morning. Adjutant General 
Phil L. Hall arrived on an early morning train and took 
charge of the local militia who patrolled the southern 
portion of the city, while the regulars covered the north¬ 
ern half. Governor J. H. Morehead arrived in Omaha 
Monday morning and reported back to the state legis¬ 
lature in session that the situation was admirably han¬ 
dled and under perfect control. Monday saw the lead¬ 
ing citizens assembled to take immediate steps for the 
relief of those in need of financial or other help. An 
executive committee of seven was made up as follows: 
T. J. Mahoney, attorney, chairman; T. C. Byrne, 
wholesaler; C. C. Rosewater, newspaper editor; Robert 


283 • 


THE WORK OF RELIEF 


Cowell, retailer; E. F. Denison, secretary Y. M. C. A.; 
Right Rev. A. L. Williams, and J. M. Guild, commis¬ 
sioner of the Commercial Club. 

TERRITORY DISTRICTED 

“The stricken territory was divided into districts 
and an absolute census taken of the entire situation, 
which was completed within twenty-four hours of the 
visitation. This has become the basis of all relief work, 
as everything has been card indexed, from the name, lo¬ 
cation, condition of house, names of occupants, their 
injuries, financial condition, where they are being 
sheltered, etc. This census shows a total of 1,669 houses 
damaged, of which 642 were totally destroyed, making 
2,179 people homeless. These have been quartered in 
the homes of friends, in the Young Men’s Christian As¬ 
sociation, in the various missions and in the Auditorium, 
and all have been temporarily taken care of. The is¬ 
suance of food and clothing is proceeding in a syste¬ 
matic way. The territory has been subdivided into six 
districts for the issuance of supplies, each in charge of 
a prominent business man right on the ground. These 
distributing depots are served from the downtown main 
supply depot and are in charge of the following men, 
one to each district: George H. Kelly, president of the 
Commercial Club; J. A. Sunderland, wholesaler; T. P. 
Redmond, retailer; John L. McCague, real estate; F. 
I. Ellick, printer, and Joseph Kelley, wholesaler. 


284 


THE WORK OF RELIEF 


“The Commercial Club desires to make it known 
that the path of the tornado was through the residential 
district only and affected no business institutions what¬ 
ever; that there is no impairment of Omaha’s business 
or its finances. 

“A local finance committee, consisting of C. E. 
Yost, president of the Bell Telephone Company and 
vice-president of the Commercial Club, as chairman; J. 
L. Kennedy, attorney; C. M. Wilhelm, retailer; Sam 
Burns, Jr., stocks and bonds; W. D. Hosford, whole¬ 
saler; W. H. Bucholz, banker; H. A. Tukey, real 
estate, and C. C. Belden, retailer, was appointed at a 
largely attended meeting held today by the Commercial 
Club to finance the entire relief work, both immediate 
and for the future. The work of this committee in¬ 
volves the complete restoration of the buildings in the 
path of the storm. 

“Commercial Club of Omaha, 
“By George H. Kelly, President. 

“C. E. Yost, Vice-President. 

“J. M. Guild, Commissioner.” 

A LATER CALL FOR RELIEF 

Four days later, when the real work of relief was 
well under way, the Commercial Club was forced to 
retract its former statement, and publicly admitted that 
relief in the shape of funds and supplies would be wel¬ 
come from any source whatever. The property loss 

285 


THE WORK OF RELIEF 


was also verified and indications five days after the 
storm were that the property loss would exceed 
$ 8 , 000 , 000 . 


IN THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW—By Hungerford. 



286 






















CHAPTER XXV 


HOW THE STORM STARTED 

“A thousand demons seemed to have been let loose 
a few moments before 6 o’clock,” writes an eyewitness 
of the tornado, “when the intense roar of the storm 
caused all listeners to stand appalled in the homes 
around Bemis Park. But a few seconds passed and 
before most of the people there could get to the cellar 
stairs, they were caught in a whirl of unseen forces 
and some fell dead under crashing timbers while others 
were scratched, bruised and maimed in the chaos of 
debris that swirled and fell. 

“I have been near tornadoes before and the sky a 
few moments before six showed a portent in the south¬ 
west black as ink. A party of us had just left an auto¬ 
mobile and stepped inside a house on Cuming street 
for a visit. There was a gentle rain falling and occa¬ 
sionally a hailstone pattered. Suddenly there came the 
dull boom of the storm, growing more and more in¬ 
tense as if tightening its forces to let them loose on 
the man-made buildings with the scorn of the King 
of Furies. Great forest trees twisted and snapped, 


287 


HOW THE STORM STARTED 

and in ten seconds nothing was left of some of them 
but stumps, and some of them were pulled from the 
ground and vaulted in the air, the missiles of a terrible 
invader. 

“In the house the sound was as of something rip¬ 
ping like a canvas, and eddies of power, not wind, but 
electric forces, grasped the buildings and sent them 
careening into a pile of twisted kindling or set them 
down with a jar in all kinds of grotesque poses. It was 
not a mere wind or a twister; there was a feeling as 
though an irresistible force was pushing one over the 
precipice of ruin. The air was like sulphur and one 
felt as in a daze; no effort seemed intelligent, and those 
swift moments passed as a terrible nightmare. In an 
instant almost it was over. We had moved toward the 
cellar stairs, but none had gone down, for the wreck 
was finished and we felt the calm. Swiftly taking a 
survey of the scene, the result was as though an army 
of devastation had been at work all the long day. The 
valley in the eastern part of Bemis Park was a mess 
of flattened buildings and the $25,000 mansion once 
erected by Tolf Hansen on a prominence at Thirty- 
fourth and Lincoln boulevard was a one-story junk 
pile, while across the street lay a row of piles of timbers, 
with here and there a building all awry. 

“The tornado came from the southwest across 
Cuming street and lifted after it passed the park dis- 
288 


HOW THE STORM STARTED 


trict. The hills there were not touched, and in the dis¬ 
tance the House of Hope on North Twenty-seventh 
street loomed up without a scar. 

“Those ten seconds or more had left a trail of ruined 
homes and dazed, mangled half-crazed victims. The 
demon had done its work and vanished again into the 

unseen.” _ 

HOW A TORNADO FORMS 

The most eminent authorities on the subject de¬ 
scribe the formation of a tornado in practically the same 
manner. The conditions most favorable to the forma¬ 
tion of tornadoes are said to exist when a layer of warm, 
humid air lies next to the earth, while in the same vicin¬ 
ity, at a higher altitude, there is a colder stratum of air. 
The notable windstorms have occurred in the same man¬ 
ner and under similar conditions. When the upper 
stratum of colder air with a high barometer comes into 
contact with a lower layer of warm, humid air, the 
warm air goes up. The dry cold air gives way for the 
warmer, and with a whirling motion the storm becomes 
more violent. Little whirlwinds observed in almost 
every community preceding a rain storm are in reality 
miniature tornadoes, their lessened violence being gen¬ 
erally due to the smaller areas of atmosphere involved 
in the movement. 

The centrifugal force due to the diurnal rotation 
of the earth also pushes the more dense air toward the 

289 



HOW THE STORM STARTED 


equator harder than it does the lighter mojst air, and 
the lighter air is raised up by the denser and overflows 
toward the pole. Now a body on the earth’s surface 
and in motion relative to it, while at the same time 
rotating with it, will appear to an observer on the 
earth to be deflected toward the right hand as it moves 
forward in the Northern Hemisphere, while it will ap¬ 
pear to be deflected toward the left hand in the South¬ 
ern Hemisphere. By virtue of this deflection the winds 
blowing toward a region of low pressure acquire a 
deflection, coming from any direction, which, instead of 
meeting at the center of the region of low pressure, 
causes a violent whirl around it. The barometric pres¬ 
sure within the whirl is consequently much lower than 
it would be if the winds attracted to the region did 
meet in the center of the low pressure area. The gen¬ 
eral movement of tornadoes is from the southwest to 
the northeast. 


A TRUE BROTHERHOOD 

EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 1913 

“The churches were emptied of their happy throngs, 
the patter of a spring rain was bringing frowns to the 
faces of the newly bonneted women folk, and the chil¬ 
dren were clamoring for their evening luncheon when 
there fell upon Omaha, Nebraska, the most terrible 
tornado in the history of the United States. 

290 



HOW THE STORM STARTED 


“When the light of day had brought the ghastly 
magnitude of the horror beneath the eyes of the sur¬ 
viving citizens of the metropolis it was realized that 
the torrential downpour which followed the cyclonic 
demon had saved the city from annihilation by fire. 

“Thus, even in the face of such deep distress, the 
brave Omahans have seen a true resurrection in this 
fateful Easter Sunday; have taken countenance of the 
saving grace which fell upon them, and are even now 
deeply engrossed in the sturdy work of erecting a new 
and greater residential district from the splinters and 
ashes of that grewsome path of ruins. 

“Sweet charity is at every hand—relief is spon¬ 
taneous and boundless. The True Brotherhood of 
Omaha has been formed in this hour of tribulation.” 


• 291 



292 














































































CHAPTER XXVI 


THE DEAD IN OMAHA 
Following is a list of the known dead, who lost 


their lives in the tornado, 
authorities of Omaha: 

George Anderson 
Maurice Bowler 

A. C. Boyd 
J. B. Brooks 
Marie Brooker 

B. J. Barnes 
Mrs. Anson H. Bigelow 
Harry Blauvelt 
Mrs. Bracker 
Flora Cassel 
Mary Christiansen 
Nelson Cupka, baby 

C. F. Copley 
Morgan Dillon 
Charlotte Davie 
Mrs. Frank J. Davie 
Mrs. Victoria Davis 
C. E. Dillon 
Paul Dunn 
Cliff Daniels 
Mrs. Cliff Daniels 
Two daughters of Mr. and Mrs 

Cliff Daniels 
John Doyle 
George J. Duncan 
Mrs. Rose Fitzgerald 
‘ ‘Sonny ’ 7 Ford 
H. V. Fitch 
T. B. I. Fields 
Two foundling babies 
William Fisher 
Lloyd Glover 
Jason L. Garrison 
Henrietta Grieb 
Mrs. F. G. Goodnough 


as reported to the city 


Len Gardner 
Mrs. William Gray 
Emma Gran 
Miss Freda Hulting 
George Hansett 
Mrs. Ellen Hensman 
Marie Hanson 
J. D. Hoag 
Mrs. J. D. Hoag 
Mrs. Hans Hanson 
Hans Hanson 
Andrew Henrickson 
Miss Haas 
Mrs. J. G. Hansen 
John M. Hinz 
T. E. Johnson 
Miss Abbe Jepson 
Mrs. Ella Johnson 
Louis Jones 
Andrew R. Kolb 
Nathan Krinski 
Mrs. Nathan Krinski 
Five children of Mr. and Mrs. 

Krinski 
Morris Kiewe 

Mrs. A. W. Lavidge and baby 
Marie Lindsey 
Nels Larson 
Patrick McEnore 

- Minkler, 3-year-old boy 

Mabel Louise McBride 
Mrs. C. A. Nowens 
T. B. Norris 
Coralie Norris 
Helen Nowns 

293 



THE DEAD IN OMAHA 


Mrs. Ida Newman 
Jay Neeley or Neligh 

- Neihart 

Lee Nelson 

Mrs. Odessa Parks 

H. J. Peck 

Earl Price 

Miss Anna Roesing 

John Francis Ryan 

Sam Riley 

- Roxie 

John Ryan 
Mrs. Mary Rathkey 
Clarence Rathkey 
Victor Rathkey 
Ed. A. Shaw 
Henry Strickmitter 
Arthur B. Stanley, Jr. 
Mrs. T. Sabor 
Mrs. Julia Sullivan 
Charles South 


Cassius Shimer, Jr. 

Mrs. E. A. Sawyer 

Abner Thomas 

Mrs. Mabel Mead Vandevan 

Solomon Wortzel 

C. P. Wi^sen 

Ernest Weeks 

H. T. Challis 

C. B. Archer 

Mrs W. Gray 

Mrs. W. Heneman 

Patrick McEnroe 

Earl Price 

Fred Merkler 

Scott Barber 

William Newman 

Mrs. Sadie Christianson 

F. K. Grojean 

Helen Hodges 

Mrs. H. W. Adams 


There were also some unidentified dead, including 
several nameless infants. 


294 




CHAPTER XXVII 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 

Charles Horn, a contractor living at the corner of 
Forty-second street and Dewey avenue, Omaha, occu¬ 
pied a cottage with a southeast exposure. On the Sun¬ 
day afternoon of the tornado, upon returning from a 
drive with his family his automobile was left standing 
on the north side of the home. When the tornado ap¬ 
peared, Horn, his wife and their infant child took 
refuge in the litfle cellar under the house. The home 
was blown away from over their heads and a heavy 
grading wagon from a construction camp nearly a 
block away was hurled through the air, landing in the 
cellar within a few feet of the corner in which Mr. 
Horn and his family had crouched for protection. The 
following day a search revealed the fact that Mr. 
Horn’s automobile was comfortably lodged in the cellar 
of the house next door, and, with the exception of one 
wheel, apparently none the worse for the move. 

A VISIT COST HER LIFE 

Miss Freda Hulting, stenographer in a newspaper 
office, had gone to the home of Mrs. Ida Newman, 

295 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 

near the corner of Forty-fourth street and Dewey ave¬ 
nue, to spend the afternoon. Miss Hulting was pre¬ 
paring to start home when the storm struck the house. 
An hour later she died on an improvised stretcher while 
being carried to the Child-Saving station, where first 
aid was given the injured. 

Mrs. Newman, the mother of nine children, was 
killed in the same house, while a son, 18 years old, who 
was ill with typhoid fever, died a few days later at the 
hospital. 

FLAMES INCREASE PERIL 

With the ruins of a dozen homes burning within a 
hundred feet of the ruins under which she was impris¬ 
oned, Mrs. Mary Sullivan screamed in agony for two 
hours while tons of timber and cement and brick were 
hauled and wrenched away in the frantic efforts of 
half-crazed men and women who toiled with what tools 
they could find in their vain effort to save the life of 
the woman. Shortly after 10 o’clock she was removed 
from the ruins of her former home, unconscious, and 
welcome death came within a few hours. Two other 
victims lost their lives within a few feet of the Sullivan 
home, at 4211 Harney street. Fire finished the work 
of devastation on the west end of the block, while the 
residences on both the north and south sides were 
mowed down like blades of grass. 

296 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 


Some conception of the force of the tornado which 
visited Omaha may be gained from the fact that a 
postal savings deposit slip issued to S. L. Bush, a fire¬ 
man living on Howard street, Omaha, was found by 
one of the carriers of the postoffice at Pomeroy, la., 
112 miles from Omaha, in a direct line. The certificate 
was returned to Postmaster John C. Wharton by Mal¬ 
colm Peterson, postmaster at Pomeroy. 

DRIVEN INSANE BY TORNADO 

Crazed by the loss of his wife and two sons, John 
Rathke, a farmer, who claimed Sixtieth and Grover 
streets as his home before the tornado annihilated it, 
completely disappeared. Searching parties from the 
county and city headquarters scoured the countryside 
for him for two days, but no trace of the bereaved 
husband and father was found. 

When his home, which was situated on Sixtieth 
street on the hill directly in the path of the storm, be¬ 
tween Ralston and Omaha, was sucked into the skies 
and scattered to the four winds, the horribly crushed 
bodies of his wife and sons were carried nearly half a 
mile and were later found in a group on the farm of 
Henry Olsen, directly northeast. There was not an 
unbroken bone in any of the bodies. That of Clarence, 
the oldest boy, was pinned to the earth by a seven-foot 
length of two-by-four timber, which passed through his 
chest and out his back. 


297 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 

Neighbors coming to comfort Mr. Rathke found 
him prodding about in the ruins with a stick. 

“Yes, they’re gone,” he muttered, with no change 
of countenance when consoling words were spoken to 
him, “but I’ll find them—I’ll find them—they’re 
around here somewhere—they must be!” 

At that time the three bodies were in an under¬ 
taking establishment. 

Rathke was last seen wandering aimlessly away 
across the fields in the snow storm. 

SOCIETY WOMAN FLED BAREFOOTED 

Miss Bella Robinson was dressing at her home in 
the fashionable Hanscom Park district when the tor¬ 
nado struck the house. Her home was wrecked, but she 
escaped uninjured by running out of the door of the 
house just as the building collapsed. Miss Robinson 
was dressed only in a bathrobe and a pair of bedroom 
slippers. In her wild flight through the dark, muddy 
streets she lost both slippers before she reached the 
edge of the storm belt and was taken into the house of 
some friends. With her feet cut and bleeding, Miss 
Robinson would not submit to medical attention until 
her mother, w T ho was caught in the debris, was rescued. 
She was cut in the face with flying glass, and her hands 
and arms were severely bruised in the numerous falls 
which she suffered in her wild flight over the wreck of 
buildings through the rain and mud. 

298 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 


CONDUCTOR SAVED MANY LIVES 

When a North Twenty-fourth street car was caught 
in the cyclone at Twenty-fourth and Lake, the lives of 
a number of the passengers were undoubtedly saved by 
the coolness of Conductor Ord Hensley and a passen¬ 
ger, Charles H. Williams. 

“Looking up the street we saw the cyclone coming,” 
said Mr. Williams. “It looked to me like a big, white 
balloon. Of course everybody was scared and a 
number of the women passengers screamed. 

“Shouting, ‘Everybody keep cool and lie in the 
center of the car,’ Conductor Hensley set the example 
and everybody did as he said. In an instant every bit 
of glass in the car was shattered and boards and other 
debris were hurled against the car’s side. Many heavy 
boards came through the windows. One heavy beam 
came in a window at one side and was left there, stick¬ 
ing through a window on the other side. 

“In the brief glimpse I had of the approaching tor¬ 
nado, I could see houses tumbling and trees being torn 
up. After the tornado passed we left the car, being 
careful to avoid the live wires, which was another sug¬ 
gestion of the conductor’s, and helped in the rescue 
work.” 

BLOWN THROUGH PLATE GLASS 

Two members of the Falconer family at 2214 
Maple street were hurled through a big front window 

299 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 


when the tornado wrecked their home. The front side 
of the house was turned upside down and one of the 
two landed in a settee on top of the ruin. Neither was 
hurt beyond minor scratches. 

NEWLY WEDDED PAIR HURT 

Mr. Harry Greenstreet, whose wedding to Miss 
Lucile Race took place Saturday evening, narrowly 
escaped with his life. He and Mrs. Greenstreet were 
at the home of Mrs. Greenstreet’s mother, Mrs. Cora 
Curtis, on Cuming street. They had just come down 
stairs when the roof of the house was carried off and 
the flying bricks hit Mrs. Curtis, making a bad scalp 
wound. Both Mr. and Mrs. Greenstreet were injured, 
but neither fatally. 

GIRL WEDGED BETWEEN TREES 

Wedged between two fallen trees so tightly that 
firemen had to saw the trunks in two to liberate her. 
Miss Elsie Sweedler, after two hours of unconscious¬ 
ness, went to the Harney telephone exchange and re¬ 
ported for duty. She worked all night. This is the 
story of one telephone operator’s heroic sacrifice for 
the public good Sunday night. There were many 
others. 

Devoted work by the operators enabled the com¬ 
pany to maintain its service in districts undamaged by 
the storm through the two days of unprecedented traffic 
after Sunday night. Sixty girls were quartered at 

300 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 


downtown hotels and rooming houses Sunday night, in 
order to save time and be ready for work again Monday 
morning. All worked many hours overtime. 

Thirty girls whose homes were wrecked by the 
storm were provided with complete outfits of clothing 
by the company, and most of them remained at work. 

WRECKED CITY PROSECUTOR’S HOME 

City Prosecutor Fred Anheuser, just recovering 
from a serious illness at his home, was in the toynado. 
In his room and in the basement of his home was the 
only furniture in the house that was not crushed into 
splinters. Every window was blown in and the house 
sprung awry. 

The house was not as badly demolished as many 
about it and was immediately thrown open as a tem¬ 
porary hospital. Dozens of people were cared for 
during the night following the storm, being furnished 
with sandwiches and coffee. 

“A peculiar incident at our home,” said Anheuser, 
“was that a wooden box containing a delicate wax doll 
was broken to bits, but the doll, which would not sur¬ 
vive the slightest bump, was uninjured. The box was 
under the bed in my little sister’s room. The doll was 
found lying across the room and the box was still under 
the bed, a little heap of real fine kindling wood.” 

INJURED LAY IN THE RAIN 

One of the pitiable cases of the storm was that of 


301 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 


J. A. Allen, a night watchman, who lived on Walnut 
street. He had just gone to work when the house, in 
which were Mrs. Allen, Amasa Allen and a stepson, 
Ambrose Gregg, was struck. Mrs. Allen’s knee cap 
was broken, eye cut, face and head cut, bad bruises on 
body which resulted in hemorrhages, showing there was 
internal injury; Ambrose Gregg was so badly hurt that 
he was taken to a hospital, where his life was despaired 
of; Amasa Allen had an eye gouged out and was 
bruised about the face, head and body. The entire 
family lay on the prairie in the storm until midnight, 
when they were found by two men. The men had no 
conveyance, but managed to half carry and half lead 
the injured to a refuge fifteen blocks from where the 
accident happened. 

IMPRISONED NEAR GASOLINE TANK 

Mrs. C. J. Roberts, president of the Frances Wil¬ 
lard union of the W. C. T. U., had a most trying 
experience. Her home on South Fifty-third street was 
demolished. Mrs. Roberts was thrown to the cellar 
where she was pinned down by timbers. Just in front 
of her and close to the furnace was a five-gallon can of 
gasoline. This was overturned and Mrs. Roberts, 
pinned down, with fascinated gaze saw, this gasoline 
slowly run from the can and in a small stream meander 
toward the furnace. A deflection in the cellar floor 
near the furnace was all that prevented an explosion. 

302 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 


For one hour and a half Mrs. Roberts was pinned 
there while Mr. Roberts made frantic efforts to remove 
the timber and get to her. Later he secured the assist¬ 
ance of two men and they got her out. 

WIFE DEAD, DEMENTED HUSBAND FLED 

* 

Someone telephoned to Coroner Crosby that a 
woman was dead in the ruins of an apartment hotel 
at Thirty-second and Charles streets. The woman’s 
husband, the informant said, was demented as a result 
of the storm and had disappeared. 

A newspaper auto was commandeered by the police 
and hurried to the place. In the ruins of an apartment 
at 1409 North Thirty-second street the body was found. 
The head had been crushed into an unrecognizable mass 
of flesh and bone. 

HIS THIRD TORNADO 

John Wright, a watchman employed by the Omaha 
& Northwestern railroad and stationed at Fourteenth 
and Locust streets, had a premonition Sunday after¬ 
noon that a disastrous storm would sweep Omaha. As 
a result he went to his work an hour earlier than usual. 

“I believe I’ll go downtown and avoid the rain,” 
Wright told his wife as he left the house. 

It probably was fifteen or twenty minutes after he 
reached his little switch shanty when the storm broke. 
Wright declared afterward that he could hear the roar 
303 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 

of the twister many minutes before it reached the 
vicinity of Fourteenth and Locust. 

While Wright’s little shanty was not harmed, 
houses and business buildings only a few short blocks 
away were razed. Freight cars near where he was 
stationed were blown away, and others were whirled 
away down the tracks by the wind. 

The storm was the third of like character through 
which Wright had passed. Sixteen years ago in Nor¬ 
folk, Neb., his home was partially demolished by a 
tornado, and forty-two years ago in Panora, la., when 
the town was wiped out, he barely escaped with his life. 

MOTHER AND BABE IN STORM 

Starting out from their home immediately after the 
storm to aid in the rescue work Sunday night, County 
Commissioner Frank Best and Mrs. Best within a 
block from their home found a woman clad only in a 
thin nightgown walking the street distractedly in the 
driving rain, with a three-weeks-old babe clasped to her 
breast. Mr. and Mrs. Best took the pitiful pair to the 
nearest house, where they were cared for. Mr. and 
Mrs. Best then went to the Douglass County hospital 
where they assisted in caring for the host of injured 
brought there up to midnight. 

NURSE CAUGHT ON THE STAIRS 

A nurse at the T. B. Norris home escaped with her 
life, but was taken from the wreck with a leg so badly 


304 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 


crushed that amputation was thought necessary. She 
was on her way downstairs when the storm struck. Her 
leg was pinned between a heavy timber and the foun¬ 
dation stones. Rescuers had to saw away timbers and 
knock out brick and stone of the foundation before 
they could release her. 

GRADING CAMP BLOWN ENTIRELY AWAY 

The grading camp of G. W. Condon, at Forty- 
second and Harney streets, was blown entirely away. 
Grading machinery and wagons were lifted up and 
scattered about adjacent territory. Most of it was 
little injured. 

One man was killed, one fatally injured and two 
more were seriously injured. There were about twenty 
men at the camp at the time. Five mules were killed. 
The seventy horses in the camp were unhurt. 

STREETS RENDERED IMPASSABLE 

Streets in the wrecked district were wholly impas¬ 
sable in many places. At some points practically whole 
houses had been dumped in a tangled heap on the 
pavement, while great trees lay across the streets, and 
wreckage of all sorts made a barrier that prevented 
the passage of any vehicle and made progress of pedes¬ 
trians very difficult. In the darkness and the mass of 
fallen wires it frequently was demonstrated that the 
shortest way was by going several blocks around. 

On Thirty-fourth and Hawthorne avenue, in the 
305 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 


Bemis Park district, where half a dozen homes were 
utterly destroyed, the ruin was so complete and the 
debris so heterogeneously mixed that it was actually 
impossible to determine in the darkness just where 
some of the structures had stood. 

An automobile was blown over on its side on the 
sidewalk on California street and lay jammed against 
the stone wall surrounding the Joslyn grounds. 

FIVE SCHOOL BUILDINGS WRECKED 

Five public school buildings lay in the track of the 
twister, and all of them were badly damaged. The 
Beals school had the entire upper part cut off, and will 
have to be rebuilt; the Columbian was very badly bat¬ 
tered; the Saunders had a part of the roof blown in; 
the Long had all the glass blown out and the roof of 
the new annex carried away, and the Lake was almost 
completely wrecked. 

Superintendent of School Buildings Duncan Find- 
layson was out of the city. His home was completely 
destroyed, and the house lay as flat as a postage stamp. 
All the family were away. 

The home of Principal Rusmisel of the High 
School of Commerce, in the Bemis Park district at 
Thirty-third and Nicholas, was wrecked. 

THIRTY FIRES FOLLOW TORNADO 

Immediately following the tornado Sunday night 
fire added its horrors and deaths to the already large 

306 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 


list of catastrophes. A total of over thirty fire calls 
were received during the night, with many heavy losses 
of property. The fires originated from broken gas 
pipes and hot ranges, although in many cases the exact 
cause will never be known. 

Broken telephone wires stopped communication 
with the fire companies and the distant companies had 
to be notified by horseback riders, which delayed and 
complicated the alarms. The fire chief’s office was un¬ 
able to give out an exact report as to the losses. 

A long strip of cottages from Leavenworth to 
Center street on Forty-eighth street was totally lost. 
This was probably the longest fire to burn because of 
its extreme length. The houses were in ruins when 
the fires broke out and made the work of the firemen 
extremely difficult. About twenty houses or more were 
burned in this fire. 

Another bad fire caused the destruction of eight 
houses on Farnam street between Forty-second and 
Forty-third streets. Several others in this neighbor¬ 
hood were slightly burned, but not total losses. 

Following the collapse of the Idlewild pool hall at 
Twenty-fourth and Willis avenue, fire broke out, which 
penned in the negroes then in the building and many 
perished there. 

W. C. McLean’s home at 2705 Hamilton street was 
among those to suffer heavily from tornado and fire. 

307 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 


r A storehouse owned by Miss Nettie Yerga, at 2301 
South Twenty-ninth street, was struck by lightning 
and totally destroyed. 

CHILD SENT FOR DOCTOR LOST 

John Sullivan experienced a harrowing night fol¬ 
lowing the storm. He saved his two small children 
from injury by throwing them to the floor and lying 
over them. His face was cut open by flying glass and 
his head severely bruised. His wife, who fled to the 
basement, was badly injurei about- the back and lost 
two toes when a heavy range fell on hef foot. 

Sullivan’s mother, Mrs. Julia Sullivan, living with 
her daughter next door, was killed. When he found 
his mother dying he at once sent his little daughter 
after a doctor. The child became lost. All night the 
father wandered about the wreckage, without shoes, 
looking for her. The little one was finally found and 
the family went to a hotel. 

AGED WOMAN SURVIVED 

The beautiful home of Dr. D. C. Bryant on Sher¬ 
man avenue was completely wrecked, but its occupants. 
Dr. Bryant, his wife and the latter’s mother, escaped 
without injury. However, the two latter suffered 
severe shocks. Mrs. Bryant, who has been ill for sev¬ 
eral months, was prostrated. Her mother, aged 92 
years, was dug out of the ruins in the cellar. They 
found refuge with neighbors more fortunate than they. 

308 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 


GIRL BLOWN IN FURNACE 

The home of George W. Ketcham was totally 
destroyed by the storm. He was night foreman at 
the Vinton street car barn and was not at home at the 
time. Mrs. Ketcham was badly injured. Miss Ethel 
Ketcham was thrown in the furnace and her head and 
face badly injured. Earl Ketcham was in the yard; 
the house was demolished and part fell on him, inflict¬ 
ing serious injuries. Miss Jean Watson was visiting 
the family and was injured in the wreck. Misses Irene 
and Ruth Figge were also visiting and were seriously 
injured. The only thing that saved the family and 
visitors from death was that they reached the basement 
just as the house left the foundation, and the destruc¬ 
tion was so complete that the checkers never found the 
house when making up the list of demolished houses. 

KILLED TRYING TO SAVE MOTHER 

The pathetic feature of the death of Mabel Mc¬ 
Bride, daughter of Will McBride, of Farnam street, 
was the fact that she was trying to save and protect 
her mother and small brother who were attempting to 
get out. She had got them together in a corner of one 
of the rooms, when the roof blew away, the floors fell, 
and a heavy board fell through, striking her on the 
head and killing her instantly. 

STORM ENDS MUSICAL CAREER 

A promising musical career was brought to a tem- 
309 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 


porary close by the tornado. Miss Grace Slabaugh, the 
young daughter of Judge W. W. Slabaugh, was taken 
to the Nicholas Senn hospital with the tendons of her 
right wrist severed. She is an accomplished pianist. 

Miss Slabaugh gave many recitals even as a girl. 
A course of foreign study had been planned for her, 
and a great career was believed to be in store for her. 
Visitors from the musical centers of Europe passing 
through Omaha have heard her play and pronounced 
her a marvel. 

When taken from the wreck of her father’s home 
at Fortieth and Dodge streets into the house of Gus 
Renze, a block further west, the girl coolly watched 
Dr. Alexander sew the ligaments of her wrist together, 
taking no anaesthetic of any kind. 

“Go ahead, doctor,” was her only remark. 

Miss Slabaugh was tennis champion of the Omaha 
High School two years ago. 

TOMBSTONE BLOWN FOUR MILES 

Lying against the trunk of a tree in front of the 
ruined home of Charles A. _ Hofmann on North 
Twenty-eighth street, was found an old iron tomb¬ 
stone. It had evidently been blown over four miles, 
from the Holy Sepulcher Cemetery at Forty-eighth 
and Leavenworth streets, and was covered with wreck¬ 
age. The slab weighed over 50 pounds and bore the 
following inscription: “Mamie Donahue, born De- 


310 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 


cember 6, 1887; died November 30, 1890. Gone from 
our home, but not from our heart.” 

The tornado passed through West Lawn Cemetery 
and the Bohemian National Cemetery, both on West 
Center street, where the storm entered Omaha, but 
this marker could scarcely have come from either of 
these graveyards. West Lawn has only been in ex¬ 
istence three years and the Bohemian Cemetery is usecl 
for none but Bohemians. 

A corner of Holy Sepulcher Cemetery was touched 
by the twister, and it is thought the tombstone must 
have been carried from that place. 

Mr. Hofmann, a blacksmith, lost his home and 
household effects, but his family escaped uninjured. 

HORSE HUNG IN A TREE 

D. H. Harris and Roy Perkins, market gardeners 
from tKe territory lying between Carter and Florence 
lakes, came into Omaha with the report that that sec¬ 
tion was swept and serious damage done by the 
tornado. 

Either totally wrecked or partially damaged were 
Swift’s boarding house and the property of Emil 
Papke, D. H. Harris, Otto Hoot, Charles Junge, 
Peter Lush, Jack Wernbach and Roy Perkins. 

The hotbeds and greenhouses of gardeners were 
destroyed and immense property damage was done in 
311 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 


the total destruction of the crop of early hothouse 
vegetables. 

This section furnished its storm freak story from 
the farm of Otto Hoot. The tornado hung Hoot’s 
horse and bug^y in a tree, twenty feet from the ground. 
The struggles of the horse jerked the equipage free, 
the animal landed on his feet and then proceeded to 
run away. 

HOME MOVED TO STREET 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. R, A. Thompson, at 
Sixteenth street and Sherman avenue, was lifted from 
its foundations and deposited, a broken, desolate mass, 
in the middle of the street. Not a house on Binney 
street east to Sherman avenue escaped. Mr. and Mrs. 
Thompson and their little daughter, Ruth, were for¬ 
tunately away from home at the time the tornado 
struck. 

ACTIVE IN RESCUE WORK 

Dr. Charles Needham, whose home at Thirty-sixth 
and Burt streets was first demolished by the tornado 
and then burned by fire, aided in the rescue work at 
the T. B. Norris home, on Burt street, where three 
were killed. The body of the little Norris girl was 
found in the ruins of the home at daybreak. 

IMMENSE LOSS IN AUTOMOBILES 

Automobiles picked up bodily from the street and 
hurled in all directions were to be seen in various stages 


312 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 


of demolition in every section of the city. The auto¬ 
mobile loss formed a large part of the property de¬ 
struction. One machine, an electric coupe, was raised 
from the street at Thirty-seventh and Farnam and 
hurled, straight up, half a block and thrown across the 
sidewalk on the opposite side of the street and buried 
in mud above the wheels. Another was seen on Thirty- 
ninth avenue, crushed upside-down against a granite 
wall. Many drivers caught in the storm were badly 
injured. 

ANOTHER FREAK OF THE TORNADO 

One of the freaks of the tornado was found in con¬ 
nection with another automobile on North Thirty- 
eighth street, near Webster street. The machine had 
stood in a garage. The garage w T as torn from its 
foundations and hurled bottom-side up 100 yards away. 
The car stood unharmed on the ceiling of the structure, 
which was shorn of w T alls and floor in transit. 

CLEARING THE WRECKAGE 

At daybreak scores of linemen and laborers em¬ 
ployed by the electric light and telephone companies 
invaded the devastated areas with line equipments, 
pickaxes and shovels, and began the seemingly endless 
task of clearing away the tons of debris cluttering the 
streets. The street railway company had gangs of 
men at work all night in an effort to straighten out 
the tangle of its demoralized service. 

313 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 


The destruction of hundreds of homes meant a total 
loss to home owners, particularly those of limited means, 
as only a small percentage of them carried tornado 
insurance on their property. 

SECRETARY BRYAN ON THE STORM 

Standing on the porch of his home at Fairview, 
William Jennings Bryan, secretary of state, watched 
the twisting twin funnels of destruction high above and 
to the south of Lincoln on Sunday night, March 23. 

The ominous appearing clouds attracted his atten¬ 
tion, and, with Mrs. Bryan and Robert Ross, his per¬ 
sonal stenographer, Secretary Bryan calmly calculated 
where the destruction was to be, although the magni¬ 
tude of the life and property loss far exceeded his fears. 
Upon his arrival in Chicago, three days later, his first 
inquiry was for the latest reports about the damage. 

“From my house at Fairview,” said the secretary, 
“I could see the two twirling, twisting funnel-shaped 
clouds. When we first discovered them they were high 
up, but gradually circling toward the ground, making 
the descent in wide sweeps. 

“It was about 5 :30 o’clock and the clouds, whirling 
and twisting, made an ominous spectacle. Later we 
began to receive reports of the damage. It just seemed 
a miracle that the cyclone missed Lincoln. The people 
stood in the streets and on their doorsteps and watched 


314 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 


that exhibition of certain death and destruction in the 
distance. 

“Coming east our train seemed to travel in the wake 
of the cyclone. Town after town was leveled to the 
ground. In some places not a single building even 
reared its roof to denote there was a shelter. We sort 
of followed the storm. Everywhere the people were 
digging in the debris, removing dangerous parts of 
demolished buildings and otherwise making matters safe 
for those who escaped the fury of the winds and rain. 

HAD ITS EYE ON OMAHA 

“The sight of the damage was sufficient-to indicate 
what the immediate havoc of it all must have been. 
And, too, I learn that the West was not alone in the 
zone of destruction. Indiana and other states have re¬ 
ported a long list of dead and injured and great prop¬ 
erty loss. 

“Omaha seems to have been the attraction for the 
storm. The great revolving wind cloud whirled away 
in several instances from cities and then when over 
Omaha dropped down onto it, enveloping the business 
district in its destructive maw. 

“Around Omaha the towns and country practically 
are untouched, as far as any great damage is concerned. 
The storm ripped right through Omaha, tearing down 
buildings and tumbling them into piles of brick and 
mortar, but leaving unscathed great trees, which one 

315 


INCIDENTS OF THE TORNADO 


surely would expect to have been caught by the wind 
and torn up by the roots.” 

SYMPATHY FOR THE EAST 

Secretary Bryan was eager to learn of the destruc¬ 
tion by floods in Ohio, and when told Dayton was re¬ 
ported to be flood-swept, expressed the deepest sym¬ 
pathy for those homeless. 

“Apparently we in the West had best give sym¬ 
pathy at this time,” he said, “in addition to receiving 
it. I think the levee in Dayton must have been near 
a thickly populated district. It is awful and I sin¬ 
cerely hope the reports we have received of the loss of 
life and destruction of property will be found to have 
been predicated more on the excitement of the moment 
rather than on subsequent disclosures.” 


316 


CHAPTER XXVIII 


THE PULPIT OX DISASTERS 

Dr. J. P. Brushingham, pastor of the South Park 
Methodist Episcopal Church, Chicago, told his con¬ 
gregation, on the Sunday after the floods and tornado, 
that the calamities made good food for reflection for 
pessimists who believed their lot the worst possible. 

“I desire to call attention to five lessons from the 
recent sad disasters which have shocked the nation and 
called forth the sympathetic interest of the world,” he 
said. 

“First, a lesson in contentment and gratitude. 
Brother Growler and Brother Discontent should re¬ 
mind themselves that persons as good and as bad as 
they have not only had a window pane shattered but 
the house swept away by wind, flood or fire. Why 
complain? You will be richer, healthier and happier 
if you are cheerfully grateful. 

"Second, a lesson of mysterious providence. I con¬ 
gratulate the man to whom such providences are an 
open book. I stand stunned in the presence of such 
calamity and can only cry 'Mystery! Mystery!’ 


THE PULPIT ON DISASTERS 


“Are the cities of Omaha, Dayton, Peru and Co¬ 
lumbus wicked above the other cities of our native 
land? Are we fatalists and do we believe that what¬ 
ever is to happen happens? 

“Do we believe in the Malthusian theory, that 
Providence is under obligation to flood, famine, pesti¬ 
lence and war in order that the population may not 
become excessive? 

“Again I answer, ‘Mystery!’ Must I therefore 
reject the providence of God? Not unless I reject 
everything else which I do not understand—the blos¬ 
soming of a flower and why health is not contagious, 
rather than disease. Science must not be rejected 
because of mystery, neither should religion, for science 
without mystery is unknown; religion without mystery 
would be absurd. 

“Third, a lesson of benevolence and Samaritanism. 
Money and relief have poured in from all sources. 
Chicago has not been unmindful of the charity that 
sprang to her relief in the dark days of 1871. Instead 
of the hard-clasped hand of thrift we have seen the 
open palm of unselfish generosity. It is said the gov¬ 
ernment should anticipate and provide against such 
destruction of life and property. Be that as it may, 
now is the time to bury the dead and succor the living. 

“Fourth, a lesson in heroism. Not only Mr. Pat¬ 
terson, a great man in the world of commerce, but 


313 


THE PULPIT ON DISASTERS 


humble fishermen, risked their lives to save others. We 
may thank God for that fine altruism which makes 
our poor humanity akin to God. 

“Fifth, a lesson in personal religious privilege and 
obligation. A solemn warning, £ Be ye also ready.’ 
Let each hour be as if it were the last.” 

CALAMITY MADE HEROES 

Rev. Jenkin Lloyd Jones of All Souls’ Church, 
Chicago, a preacher of international fame, said, in a 
sermon March 30: 

“The story of the dire calamities that have swept 
over our nation in these latter days, of the cyclone in 
Omaha and of the deluge in Ohio and Indiana, proves 
that the military resources in the hands of an intelli¬ 
gent administration can be and have been turned to 
benign influences. But the situation would have been 
immeasurably sadder if the starving and the drowned 
had to aw r ait the military trained for the courage and 
the devotion that brought succor.” 

THE WOULD IS BETTER 

Rev. Frederick E. Hopkins said, in a sermon at 
Park Manor Congregational Church, Chicago: 

“ There were fires and floods and cyclones before 
Jesus came on earth to show us what God is like. But 
we ransack the old records in vain to find the story 
of such sympathy as is being shown today. Why? 
Because those were unchristian ages. There have been 


319 


THE PULPIT ON DISASTERS 


awful disasters since our Lord came—some of them 
worse than anything that has happened during the 
past week. But only in a small proportion have the 
people given as they are giving now. This shows 
how much better the world is than it ever was before.” 

ALL EVIL IS DEVIL-BORN 

Rev. Frank C. Bruner of Ogden Park M. E. 
Church, Chicago, in his sermon March 30, said: 

“In the startling cyclonic events of the last few days 
the interrogations fly thick and fast: What had God 
to do in manufacturing a cyclone? This is a natural 
question in the light of the appalling loss of life. 

“This tragedy of the cyclone, which seems to have 
a career in all the ages of human history, does not belong 
to the world of Godhood. 

“The biggest truth extant is that all evil is devil- 
born. When you take the great dramatic epic of Job 
and grow familiar with each act in the drama it is clear 
as a morning without clouds that all evil can be traced 
to the devil, of whom a great man said. ‘Going about 
seeking whom he may devour.’ 

“The tragedy of a cyclone is not God’s tragedy.” 


320 



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